Apparatus and method for removing liquid from liquid bearing material

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for removing liquid from liquid bearing material are provided, the apparatus comprising a pair of electrode units having portions thereof disposed adjacent each other and defining an inlet to the adjacent portions and an outlet from the adjacent portions, structure for feeding the liquid bearing material into the inlet, structure for moving the liquid bearing material from the inlet to the outlet so that sections of the material serially move from the inlet to the outlet while being disposed between the adjacent portions, structure for vibrating the liquid bearing material between the adjacent portions of the electrode units as the material is moving from the inlet to the outlet whereby a vibratory field arrangement is applied to the material, and structure for creating a voltage between the pair of electrode units so as to create an electrostatic field arrangement between the adjacent portions of the pair of electrode units for acting through the material that is disposed therebetween to remove liquid from that material, the structure for vibrating the liquid bearing material having structure for simultaneously providing different vibratory field actions to different sections of the material that are serially disposed between the inlet and the outlet so that different intensities of the vibratory field arrangement serially act on each section of the material as each section of the material moves from the inlet to the outlet, the structure for vibrating the liquid bearing material comprising at least one of the electrode units.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part (CIP) patent application ofits copending parent patent application, Ser. No. 842,898, filed Feb.27, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,940 which, in turn, is a CIP patentapplication of its copending parent patent application, Ser. No.731,791, filed Jul. 17, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,593, which, inturn, is a CIP patent application of its copending parent patentapplication, Ser. No. 695,603, filed May 3, 1991, now abandoned, which,in turn, is a CIP patent application of its respective copending parentpatent applications, Ser. No. 575,416, filed Aug. 29, 1990, now U.S.Pat. No. 5,114,560, and Ser. No. 502,506, filed Mar. 30, 1991, now U.S.Pat. No. 5,019,230, which, in turn, are respectively a divisional patentapplication and a JCIP patent application of their copending parentapplication, Ser. No. 454,718, filed Dec. 21, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No.4,975,166, which, in turn, is a CIP patent application of its copendingparent patent application, Ser. No. 386,579, filed Jul. 27, 1989, nowabandoned in favor of its copending Continuation patent application,Ser. No. 464,982, filed Jan. 16, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,136, saidSer. No. 386,579 being, in turn, a CIP patent application of itscopending parent patent application, Ser. No. 284,197, filed Dec. 14,1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,503, which, in turn, is a CIP patentapplication of its copending parent patent application, Ser. No. 213,709, filed Jun. 30, 1988, now abandoned, which, in turn, is a CIP patentapplication of its copending parent patent application, Ser. No.189,974, filed May 4, 1988, now abandoned, which, in turn, is a CIPpatent application of its copending parent patent application, Ser. No.062,201, filed Jun. 15, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,188, which, inturn, is a CIP patent application of its copending parent patentapplication, Ser. No. 032,746, filed Mar. 31, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No.4,767,514.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a new apparatus for removing liquid fromliquid bearing material and to a new method for removing liquid fromliquid bearing material.

2. Prior Art Statement

It is known to provide an apparatus for removing liquid from liquidbearing material and comprising a pair of electrode means havingportions thereof disposed adjacent each other and defining an inletmeans to the adjacent portions and an outlet means from the adjacentportions, means for feeding the liquid bearing material into the inletmeans, means for moving said liquid bearing material from the inletmeans to the outlet means so that sections of the material serially movefrom the inlet means to the outlet means while being disposed betweenthe adjacent portions, means for vibrating the liquid bearing materialbetween the adjacent portions of the electrode means as the material ismoving from the inlet means to the outlet means whereby a vibratoryfield arrangement is applied to the material, and means for creating avoltage between the pair of electrode means so as to create anelectrostatic field arrangement between the adjacent portions of thepair of electrode means for acting through the material that is disposedtherebetween to remove liquid from that said material . For example, seethe Candor U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,931,682 and 4,236,317; the Muralidhara et alU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,561,953, 4,747,920, 4,802,964 and 5,049,248; Chapter14, pages 335-374, of the book, Advances in Solid-Liquid Separation,edited by H. S. Muralidhara and published in November, 1986; the chapterentitled "Scale-Up of Electroacoustic Dewatering of Sewage Sludges",pages 504-519 of the book, Solid/Liquid Separation: Waste Management andProductivity Enhancement, edited by H. S. Muralidhara and published inDecember, 1989; and the PCT patent application of Battelle MemorialInstitute, No. WO 91/03309 that was published Mar. 21, 1991 (seecorresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,560).

It is also known from the aforementioned Candor U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,682,to sonically or ultrasonically vibrate the entire drum or roller thatcomprises one of the electrode means.

It is also known to attach a plurality of sonic or ultrasonic transducerelements to a single plate or sheet to vibrate the same for dewateringpurposes. For example, see the Morton et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,807, andthe aforementioned PCT patent application of Battelle MemorialInstitute, No. WO 91/03309 that was published Mar. 21, 1991.

It is also known to provide an apparatus for removing liquid from liquidbearing material and comprising a pair of electrode means havingportions thereof disposed adjacent each other, means for disposing theliquid bearing material between the adjacent portions, means forcompressing the liquid bearing material between the electrode means toremove liquid from the material, and means for creating a voltagebetween the electrode means for acting through the material that isdisposed therebetween to enhance the removal of the liquid from thematerial that is disposed therebetween. For example, see theaforementioned Candor U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,682; the aforementioned CandorU.S. Pat. No. 4,236,317; the Stiles U.S. Pat. No. 3,705,847; the ThomasU.S. Pat. No. 2,740,756; the aforementioned Muralidhara et al U.S. Pat.No. 4,802,964, and the article "Electrodes give dewatering a boost" inthe No. 2, 1990, issue of Water Quality International.

It is also known to have an electrode means of an electrodewateringapparatus formed from a plurality of conductive segments arranged in aserial manner and being electrically insulated from each other. Forexample, see the Japanese patent application, No. 61-259716, that waslaid open by the Japanese Patent Office on Nov. 11, 1986.

It is also known to step the voltage acting through a liquid bearingmaterial in a batch process where the liquid bearing material isstationary between a pair of electrode means. For example, see thearticle entitled "Electroosmotic Dewatering of Clays, I. Influence ofVoltage" by N. C. Lockhart, published in 1983 in Colloids and Surfaces,Vol. 6, pages 229-238.

It is also known to provide an apparatus for removing liquid from liquidbearing material and comprising a pair of spaced electrodes for beingdisposed on opposite sides of the material, means for creating anelectrostatic field between the electrodes for acting through thematerial to remove liquid from the material, and a projection extendingfrom one of the electrodes to assist in removing liquid from the liquidbearing material, the electrodes comprising a pair of movable endlessbelts having adjacent runs thereof adapted to move in the same directionwith the material therebetween so as to move in the same directiontherewith. For example, see the aforementioned Candor U.S. Pat. No.4,236,317.

It is also known to have the projection of an arrangement projectthrough an opening means passing through one of the electrodes. Forexample, see the King U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,617.

While the aforementioned Candor U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,317, also describesthat the projection and the electrodes can be sonically orultrasonically vibrated while the projection is projecting into and/orthrough the liquid bearing material that is disposed between theelectrodes for further enhancing the electrostatic action in removingliquid from the liquid bearing material, also see the aforementionedCandor U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,682; the aforementioned Muralidhara et alU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,561,953; 4,747,920; 4,802,964 and 5,049,248, theaforementioned Chapter 14, pages 335-374, of the book Advances inSolid-Liquid Separation edited by H. S. Muralidhara; the aforementionedchapter entitled "Scale-Up of Electroacoustic Dewatering of SewageSludges", pages 504-519 of the book, Solid/Liquid Separation: WasteManagement and Productivity Enhancement, edited by H. S. Muralidhara;and the aforementioned PCT patent application of Battelle MemorialInstitute, No. WO 91/03309, that was published Mar. 21, 1991, for otherexamples of apparatus that utilize sonic or ultrasonic vibrations incombination with an electrostatic field to remove liquid from liquidbearing material.

It is also known to provide different frequencies and/or intensities ofvibrations along the length of a vibratory tray to impart vibratoryaction to a slurry flowing along the top of the tray. For example, seethe aforementioned Morton et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,807.

It is also known that liquid in capillaries or porous material tends tophysically move in the direction of increasing field inhomogeneity tothe capillary or pore mouth when an inhomogeneous electrostatic orelectric field or nonuniform electrostatic or electric field is directedacross that capillary or porous body. For example, see the article"Effect of a Corona Discharge Field On Evaporation of Liquids FromCapillaries" by Karpovich et al, J. Eng. Phys., 1981, 41, 1333. Inaddition, see the article "Study of Electric Field-Induced Effects onWater Vapor Adsorption in Porous Adsorbents" by Someshwar et al, Ind.Eng. Chem. Fundam., 1985, 24, 215-220; the article "Effect of anElectric Field on the Kinetics of Water Sorption by a Capillary-PorousMaterial" by Panchenko al, J. Eng. Phys., 1972, 22, 554, and the article"Influence of Inhomogeneous Electric and Magnetic Fields on InternalMass Transfer In Capillary-Porous Bodies" by Panasyuk et al, J. Eng.Phys., 1978, 35, 827.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One feature of this invention is to provide a new apparatus and methodfor removing liquid from liquid bearing material by providing differentintensities of vibrational energy to different sections of the liquidbearing material that is disposed between adjacent portions of tileelectrode means an electrodewatering apparatus in a unique manner toassist in removing liquid from the liquid bearing material.

In particular, it is believed according to the teachings of thisinvention that as the liquid in liquid bearing material is being removedby the combined action of an electrostatic field means and a vibratoryfield means that pass through the material, the amount of liquidremaining in the material requires a higher intensity of the vibratoryfield means to further remove the remaining liquid because the capillaryholding force on the remaining liquid is harder to overcome at a lesservibratory intensity that was sufficient to initially enhance the liquidremoval from the liquid bearing material.

Therefore, it is further believed according to the teachings of thisinvention that unique means can be provided to permit such varyingintensity of the vibratory field means to be utilized with anelectrodewatering apparatus.

For example, one embodiment of this invention provides an apparatus forremoving liquid from liquid bearing material and comprising a pair ofelectrode means having portions thereof disposed adjacent each other anddefining an inlet means to the adjacent portions and an outlet meansfrom the adjacent portions, means for feeding the liquid bearingmaterial into the inlet means, means for moving the liquid bearingmaterial from the inlet means to the outlet means so that sections ofthe material serially move from the inlet means to the outlet meanswhile being disposed between the adjacent portions, means for vibratingthe liquid bearing material between the adjacent portions of theelectrode means as the material is moving from the inlet means to theoutlet means whereby a vibratory field arrangement is applied to thematerial, and means for creating a voltage between the pair of electrodemeans so as to create an electrostatic field arrangement between theadjacent portions of the pair of electrode means for acting through thematerial that is disposed therebetween to remove liquid from thematerial, the means for vibrating the liquid bearing material havingmeans for simultaneously providing different vibratory field actions todifferent sections of the material that are serially disposed betweenthe inlet means and the outlet means so that different intensities ofthe vibratory field arrangement serially act on each section of thematerial as each section of the material moves from the inlet means tothe outlet means, the means for vibrating the liquid bearing materialcomprising at least one of the electrode means.

It is another feature of this invention to provide a new apparatus andmethod for removing liquid from liquid bearing material by providingdifferent voltages between different parts of adjacent portions of theelectrodes of an electrode-watering apparatus in a unique manner toassist in removing liquid from the liquid bearing material.

In particular, it is believed according to the teachings of thisinvention that as the liquid in liquid bearing material is being removedby the action of an electrostatic field that passes through thematerial, the amount of liquid remaining in the material requires ahigher voltage between the electrodes that create the electrostaticfield therebetween to further remove the same because the capillaryholding force on the remaining liquid is harder to overcome at a lesservoltage that is sufficient to remove the liquid when the material isinitially being dewatered. For example, see the aforementioned article"Electroosmotic Dewatering of Clays, I. Influence of Voltage" by N. C.Lockhart, published in 1983 in Colloids and Surfaces, Vol. 6, pages229-238, whereby this article is being incorporated into this disclosureby this reference thereto.

Therefore, it is further believed according to the teachings of thisinvention that unique means can be provided to permit such varyingvoltage to be utilized with an electro-dewatering apparatus.

For example, one embodiment of this invention provides an apparatus forremoving liquid from liquid bearing material and comprising a pair ofelectrode means having portions thereof disposed adjacent each other,means for disposing the liquid bearing material between the adjacentportions, means for compressing the liquid bearing material between theelectrode means to remove liquid from the material, and means forcreating a voltage between the electrode means so as to create anelectrostatic field arrangement between the adjacent portions of theelectrode means for acting through the material that is disposedtherebetween to enhance the removal of the liquid from the material thatis disposed therebetween, the apparatus having means for providingdifferent voltages respectively between a plurality of different pairsof adjacent parts of the electrode means so that the intensities of theresulting electrostatic fields that respectively act through the partsof the material that are respectively disposed between the differentpair of adjacent parts of the electrode means are different.

It is also a feature of this invention to combine the varying voltagefeature of this invention with the varying vibratory field intensityfeature of this invention to further enhance the electrodewatering of aliquid bearing material.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a newapparatus for removing liquid from liquid bearing material and havingone or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth aboveor hereinafter shown or described

Another object of this invention is to provide a new method for removingliquid from liquid bearing material, the method of this invention havingone or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth aboveor hereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invent ion are apparent froma reading of this description which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view that schematicallyillustrates the apparatus and method of this invention for removingliquid from liquid bearing material.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates the apparatus of FIG.1 in another operating position thereof.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. I and illustrates another apparatus andmethod of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrates the apparatus of FIG.3 in another operating position thereof.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrates theapparatus thereof in still another operating position thereof.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates another apparatus andmethod of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and illustrates apparatus of FIG. 6in another operating position thereof.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates anotherapparatus and method of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and illustrates the apparatus of FIG.8 in another operating position thereof.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates another apparatusand method of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 and illustrates the apparatus ofFIG. 10 in another operating position thereof.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates another apparatusand method of this invention,

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 and illustrates the apparatus ofFIG. 12 in another operating position thereof,

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates another apparatusand method of this invention,

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates another method andapparatus of this invention,

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates another method andapparatus of this invention.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 17--17 ofFIG. 16 to illustrate the field lines of the nonuniform field beingcreated by a particular projection of the method and apparatus of FIG.16.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 18--18 ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 and illustrates another embodimentof the method and apparatus of this invention

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 18 and illustrates another method andapparatus of this invention.

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates another method andapparatus of this invention.

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 and illustrates the projection ofone of the electrodes in an extended position thereof.

FIG. 23 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 1 and illustratesanother apparatus and method of this invention.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the apparatus and methodillustrated in FIG. 23 and is taken in the general area of the lines24--24 thereof.

FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 24 and is taken in the general area ofthe lines 25--25 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 24 and is taken in the general area ofthe lines 26--26 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 23 and illustrates anotherapparatus and method of this invention.

FIG. 28 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 23 andillustrates another apparatus and method of this invention.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged fragmentary view of part of the structure of FIG.28 and illustrates another apparatus and method of this invention.

FIG. 30 is a reduced fragmentary view similar to FIG. 28 and illustratesanother apparatus and method of this invention.

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 28 and illustrates anotherapparatus and method of this invention.

FIG. 32 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 31 and illustrates anotherapparatus and method of this invention.

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 28 and illustrates anotherapparatus and method of this invention.

FIG. 34 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 28 and illustrates anotherapparatus and method of this invention, the apparatus of FIG. 34 beingin one condition thereof.

FIG. 35 is a view of the apparatus of FIG. 34 in another conditionthereof.

FIG. 36 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 31 and illustrates anotherapparatus and method of this invention.

FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the apparatus ofFIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 31 and illustrates anotherapparatus and method of this invention.

FIG. 39 is a fragmentary reduced cross-sectional view taken on line39--39 of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a vibratable unit of the apparatus andmethod of FIGS. 38 and 39.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter describedand illustrated as being particularly adapted to provide an apparatusand method for dewatering certain types of liquid bearing material, itis to be understood that the various features of this invention can beutilized singly or in various combinations thereof to remove liquid fromother types of liquid bearing material or to merely reduce the liquidcontent of a liquid bearing material with the resulting dewateredproduct still being considered as being relatively liquid.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate some of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the method and apparatus of thisinvention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 andcomprises a pair of spaced apart electrodes 21 and 22 disposed onopposite sides of a liquid bearing material 23, such as a slurry of aliquid and particles, fibers, etc., the electrodes 21 and 22 beingformed of any suitable electrically conductive material and respectivelyhaving facing sides 24 and 25 for being disposed in engagement with thematerial 23 in any of the manners set forth in the aforementioned nineU.S. patents, Chapter 14 of the book Advances in Solid-Liquid Separationand the article "Electrodes give dewatering a boost" in the No. 2, 1990issue of Water Quality International whereby the Candor U.S. Pat. No.4,236,317 and No. 3,931,682; the Muralidhara et al U.S. Pat. No.4,561,953, No. 4,747,920, No. 4,802,964 and 5,049,248; the Thomas U.S.Pat. No. 2,740,756; the Stiles U.S. Pat. No. 3,705,847; the King U.S.Pat. No. 4,341,617, Chapter 14 of the book Advances in Solid-LiquidSeparation edited by H. S. Muralidhara and the article "Electrodes givedewatering a boost" in the No. 2, 1990 issue of Water QualityInternational are being incorporated into this disclosure by thisreference thereto not only for the teachings of the apparatus andmethods thereof but also for the teachings of some of the types ofliquid bearing materials that can be utilized in the apparatus andmethod 20 of this invention.

Also see the Diaz U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,496; the European patentapplication to Yamaguchi et al, U.S. Pat. No. 0,286,714 and pages504-519 of the newly published book of Battelle Press and entitledSolid/Liquid Separation: Waste Management and Productivitiy Enhancementedited by H. S. Muralidhara whereby these three items are also beingincorporated into this disclosure by this reference thereto.

Thus, it can be seen that the electrodes 21 and 22 can comprise part ofa stationary apparatus wherein the only movement of the electrodes 21and 22 is that the electrode 21 can move toward the electrode 22 ineither a mere floating manner or under a pressure force as the liquid inthe liquid bearing material 23 is being removed therefrom in a mannerhereinafter set forth or that the electrodes 21 and 22 can comprisemovable endless means, such as belt means, drums or rolls orcombinations thereof, for continuous by dewatering the material 23disposed therebetween together with the movable means 21 being movabletoward the movable means 22 as the liquid in the liquid bearing material23 is being removed therefrom in either a mere floating manner or undera pressure force as will be apparent hereinafter.

In any event, the lower electrode 22 has a plurality of passages 26passing completely therethrough and normally being of a size that willpermit liquid of the liquid bearing material 23 to pass therethroughwithout any substantial amount of the solid particles of the material 23passing through the passages 26 in a manner well known in the art ofdewatering material, such as suspensions, slurries or sludges ofparticles and liquids, etc. Of course, a suitable filter means, such asnon-conductive or conductive filter cloths can cover the side 25 of theelectrode 22 and/or cover the side 24 of the electrode 21 as set forthin certain of the references previously incorporated by reference intothis application as well as in certain of the references hereinafterreferred to and/or also incorporated into this application by thereference thereto.

The apparatus 20 comprises means 27 for creating an electrostatic fieldor electric field 28 between the electrodes 21 and 22 for acting throughthe material 23 to remove liquid from the material 23 by the well-knownphenomena of electrophoresis and electro-osmosis, the electrostaticfield 28 being generally uniform and theoretically having a plurality offield lines 29 that are disposed in spaced parallel relation and extendat right angles between the facing surfaces 24 and 25 of the electrodes21 and 22 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The means 27 creates such electrostatic field 28 by at least chargingone of the electrodes 21 and 22 with either a negative or a positivepotential while either oppositely charging the other of the electrodes21 and 22 or grounding such other electrode 21 or 22, the means 27 beingadapted to maintain the desired amount of potential differential betweenthe electrodes 21 and 22 from just a few volts to many kilovolts such asdesired, even though there may be an electrical current flow createdbetween the electrodes 21 and 22.

However, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the means 27 isadapted to charge the electrode 21 with one potential through a lead 30that is disposed in electrical contact with the electrode 21 and tooppositely charge the electrode 22 through a lead 31 that iselectrically interconnected to the electrode 22 as illustrated.

It is generally well known that if the electrode 21 is positivelycharged and the electrode 22 is negatively charged with the particles ofthe liquid bearing material 23 being negatively charged, the resultingelectrostatic field 28 causes the particles of the liquid bearingmaterial 23 to migrate toward the electrode 21 by the phenomena ofelectrophoresis and the liquid of the liquid bearing material 23 to beforced through the passages 26 of the lower electrode 22 by thephenomena of electro-osmosis.

In order to assist in the removal of the liquid from the liquid bearingmaterial 23 as the electrostatic field 28 is being applied through thematerial 23 by the electrodes 2 L and 22, a pressure differential iscreated across the electrode 22 by a suction device 32 having its inlet33 disposed in fluid communication with a chamber defining means 34 thatis disposed in substantially sealing relation with the lower surface 35of the electrode 22 and defines a chamber 36 therewith which is in fluidcommunication with the inlet 33 of the suction device 32 so that thesuction device 32 tends to draw the liquid through the passages 26 inthe lower electrode 22 in a manner well known for an evacuatingapparatus, the suction device 32 having an outlet 37 for dispensing theremoved liquid from the suction device 32 in a manner well known in theart.

In addition to such suction device 32 or in lieu thereof, the pressuredifferential can be provided by compressing the electrodes 21 and 22toward each other during the dewatering operation, such as forcing theupper electrode 21 toward the lower electrode 22 by a suitable ram means(not shown but similar to the ram means 40' of FIG. 1).

The apparatus 20 of this invention includes a plurality of needle-likeprojections 38 formed of any suitable conductive material and beingadapted to project into the material 23 between the electrodes 21 and22, such as illustrated in FIG. 2, to assist in the dewatering or in theliquid removal of the liquid of the liquid bearing material 23 for thereasons fully set forth in the aforementioned Candors U.S. Pat. No.4,236,317.

If desired, the projections 38 can each have an 39 that is secured to aplate 40 so that as the plate 40 moves upwardly or downwardly in thedrawings, the projections 38 move in unison therewith, the plate 40being illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 as being integral and one-piece withthe projections 38 and thereby being formed of the same metallicmaterial as the projections 38. However, it is to be understood thatplate 40 could be formed of any other suitable material and couldactually be formed of electrically insulating material as will beapparent hereinafter.

The upper electrode 21 is provided with a Plurality of openings 41passing completely through the outer surface and the inner surface 24thereof and respectively receive projections 38 therein so that theprojections 38 can pass through the openings 41 to be received into thespace between the electrodes 21 and 22 depending upon the position ofthe plate 40 relative to the electrode 21.

The projections 38 are adapted to have a desired electrical potentialimposed thereon by any suitable means and the means 27 previouslydescribed can be utilized for such purpose. However, a separate meanscan be utilized for charging the projections 38 and such separate meansis generally indicated by the reference numeral 43 in the drawings andis adapted to charge the plate 40 and, thus, the projections 38 througha suitable lead 44 that is electrically interconnected to the plate 40in any suitable manner.

The projections 38 each has a diameter that substantially fills thediameter of its respective opening 41 of the electrode 21 and has asubstantially flat end surface 45 that is adapted to be disposedsubstantially flush with the inside surface 24 of the electrode 21 inthe manner illustrated in FIG. 1 so that not only does the liquidbearing material 23 become completely blocked from entering the openings41 in the electrode 21, but also when the projections 38 are chargedwith a potential that is the same potential that the upper electrode 21is being charged with by the means 27, the resulting electrostatic field28 between the electrodes 21 and 22 is initially substantially uniformas illustrated in FIG. 1 by the uniformly spaced apart parallel fieldlines 29. However, as the projections 38 are being progressively movedinto the material 23 as the plate 40 is being progressively moved towardthe electrode plate 21 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2, such as bysuitable ram means or the like 40', FIG. 1, the end surfaces 45 of theprojections 38 create substantially nonuniform electrostatic fields orelectric fields 46 with the lower electrode 22 in the manner illustratedin FIG. 2 while the electrode 21 is still tending to maintain thesubstantially uniform field 28 with the lower electrode 22 whereby thefields 28 and 46 are respectively imposed on the material 23 for apurpose hereinafter described.

While the ram means 40' is only shown in FIG. 1, it is to be understoodthat such ram means 40' or other moving means is operativelyinterconnected to the movable projections in all of the otherembodiments of this invention in a like manner, such ram means being ofany suitable type and being operated by any suitable force applyingmeans as is well known in the press art or the like. For example, seethe Moeglich U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,804; the Weaver U.S. Pat. No.4,380,251, and the Weaver U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,710, for such moving meansor ram means whereby these three patents are being incorporated intothis disclosure by this reference thereto.

If desired, the electrode 21, the electrode 22 and the projections 38can be sonically or ultrasonically vibrated in any suitable mannerduring the dewatering operation of the apparatus 20 of this invention,such sonic or ultrasonic vibration imparting means being respectivelyillustrated by devices 47, 48 and 49 and being of any suitable type,such as being of the sonic and ultrasonic vibrating types set forth inthe aforementioned five U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,236,317; 3,931,682; 4,561,953;4,747,920 and 4,802,964 and two books. However, it is to be understoodthat only the projections 38 need be vibrated, only the upper electrode21 needs to be vibrated, only the lower electrode 22 needs to bevibrated or any desired combination thereof needs to be vibrated asdesired.

For example, the vibrator devices 47, 48 and 49 can each be of the typeset forth in the Rines U.S. Pat. No. 2,744,860; the Bodine U.S. Pat. No.3,472,295; the Shoh U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,436; the Morton et al, U.S. Pat.No. 4,741,839; the aforementioned patent to Morton et al, U.S. Pat. No.4,919,807; and the Beard et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,175, as it isbelieved that the devices thereof can be respectively disposed againstthe plates 21, 22 and 40 and not only cause the plates 21, 22 and 40 tovibrate therewith, also to cause the projections 38 and the material 23to be vibrated thereby whereby these six patents are being incorporatedinto this disclosure by this reference thereto. Also, see theaforementioned Muralidhara et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,964, for such avibrator device.

Therefore, it can be seen that the method and apparatus 20 of thisinvention can be formed of relatively simple parts to operate in amanner now to be described.

With the projections 38 disposed in the up position illustrated in FIG.1 wherein the lower surfaces 45 thereof are disposed substantially flushwith the lower surface 24 of the upper electrode 21, the moisturebearing material 23 is disposed between the electrodes 21 and 22 so asto be in electrical contact with the lower surface 24 of the upperelectrode 21 in electrical contact with the upper surface 25 of thelower electrode 22. The means 27 and 43 are operated in such a mannerthat the upper electrode 21 and projections 38 are provided with apositive charge of the same value while the lower electrode 22 isprovided with an equal and opposite negative charge so that asubstantially uniform electrostatic field 28 is formed between the lowerelectrode 22 and the upper electrode 21 ends 45 of the projections 38 asillustrated in the drawings to act through the moisture bearing material23 and thereby to begin the dewatering of the material 23 by causing theliquid to flow through the passages 26 by the phenomenon ofelectro-osmosis while the particles of the material 23 tend to or movetoward the upper electrode 21 by the phenomenon of electrophoresis. Ofcourse, if the particles of the material 23 are already in a presetcondition thereof so that the same will not move toward the electrode21, such as would be the case as if the material 23 was a closely packedsludge cake, a mat of fibrous material, etc., the liquid of the material23, nevertheless, will tend to move toward the lower electrode 22 andpass out of the passages 26 thereof by the phenomenon of electro-osmosisand the suction being created by the suction device 32 and acting in thechamber 36 to tend to evacuate the chamber 36 will assist suchelectrostatic field 28 in removing the liquid from the liquid bearingmaterial 23. In addition, by sonically or ultrasonically vibrating thematerial 23 between the electrodes 21 and 22 by any one or all of themeans 47, 48 and 49, such vibrating action coupled with theelectrostatic field action 28 will further tend to remove liquid fromthe material 23 as fully set forth in the aforementioned three U.S.patents to Muralidhara et al, the two U.S. patents to Candor and thebook and, therefore, the theories for such liquid removal need not befurther discussed. Also, to further enhance the liquid removaloperation, the electrode plate 21 can be forced toward the electrodeplate 22 to compress the liquid bearing material 23 therebetween.

However, at any desired time during such dewatering operation of theapparatus 20 on the material 23, the plate 40 can be moved downwardlytoward the electrode 21 so as to cause the projections 38 to begin toproject into the material 23 below the surface 24 of the upper electrode21 whereby the ends 45 of the projections 38 begin to form thenonuniform electrostatic fields 46 with the lower electrode 22 and it isbelieved that the nonuniform fields 46 create a greater dewateringeffect on the material 23 than is provided by a uniform electrostaticfield.

In particular, it is believed that because the nonuniform fields 46 havethe field lines 50 thereof disposed more closely adjacent each other thecloser the same are to the ends 45 of the projections 38 as illustratedin FIG. 2, such more intense portions of the electrostatic fields 46more closely pack the particles of the liquid material 23 together thanif the fields 46 had been uniform adjacent the surfaces 45 of theprojections 38 to thereby cause a greater dewatering from thoseparticles being more closely compacted not only by the squeezing actionbetween the particles of the material 23, but also by theelectro-osmotic effect of the more intense positions of the nonuniformfields 46.

In addition, because some of the particles in the liquid bearingmaterial 23 may not be charged or be chargeable, the more intenseportions 50 of the nonuniform fields 46 pack such particles together bythe theory of dielectrophoresis. For example, see the to Jordan et alU.S. Pat. No. 4,164,460, which is being incorporated into thisdisclosure by this reference thereto.

Thus, it is believed that as the projections 38 have their ends 45thereof moved downwardly and further away from the lower surface 24 ofthe upper electrode 21, such nonuniform fields 46 act on the material 23in the above manner with the fields 46 becoming more nonuniform as theends 45 of the projections 38 approach the upper surface 25 of the lowerelectrode 22. In fact, the length of the projections 38 could be suchthat the projections 38 will actually eventually engage against thesurface 25 of the lower electrode 22 except that under such conditionsthere would be a direct shorting between the projections 38 and thelower electrode 22 whereby it may be desired to stop the movement of theprojections 38 into the material 23 before the ends 45 of theprojections 38 cause arcing or shorting to the lower electrode 22.

Therefore, it can be seen that initially the apparatus 20 provides auniform electrostatic or electric field 28 between the electrodes 21 and22 and then subsequently provides a combination of the uniform field 28and the nonuniform electrostatic or electric fields 46 in a mannerbelieved to more greatly dewater the material 23 either at a faster rateand/or with a greater amount of liquid removal than if the projections38 were not being utilized and only the uniform field 28 was beingprovided between the electrodes 21 and 22 regardless of whether or notthe vibration, pressure and/or suction means are being utilized incombination therewith or not.

After the material 23 has been dewatered a desired amount by theapparatus 20, the material 23 can be readily removed therefrom by merelyraising the plate 40 relative to the electrode 21 to remove theprojections 38 from the space between the electrodes 21 and 22, suchraising of the plate 40 causing the upper electrode 21 to strip anymaterial that would tend to stick to the projections 38 off of theprojections 38 as the same are removed to the position illustrated inFIG. 1 so that the material 23 can be removed from the apparatus 20 inany suitable manner, such as by removing the electrode 21 and plate 40if the apparatus 20 is a batch apparatus or by having the material 23removed out from between the electrodes 21 and 22 at the end of the belttravel thereof as in the cage of the aforementioned Candor U.S. Pat. No.4,236,317.

Of course, the projections 38 can be utilized for dewatering by alsomoving the projections 38 back upwardly from their down positions to theup position of FIG. 1 or could be moved many times upwardly anddownwardly within the material 23 to cause a dewatering of the material23. In fact, the projections 38 can begin the dewatering operationthereof when the same are fully disposed downwardly in the material 23so that the dewatering action takes place as the projections 38 aremerely being moved upwardly from their fully down position to theirfully up position. Likewise, the projections 38 can begin the dewateringprocess in any position thereof whether the same are projected into thematerial a certain amount, the full amount or not into the material 23at all as the case may be and then the projections 38 may be operated inany manner and degree of projection and rates of movement thereof duringthe dewatering process in order to provide for an optimum dewateringaction therewith.

In addition, it may be found that it is desirable to change the value ofthe potential differential between the projections 38 and the lowerelectrode 22 during the various positions of the projections 38 relativeto the electrode 22 so as to vary the intensity of the nonuniform fields46 during the dewatering operation.

For example, the voltage between the projections 38 and the lowerelectrode 22 can be increased as the projections 38 project further downinto the material 23. Of course, it may be found that it is desirable todecrease the voltage between the projections 38 at the lower electrode22 the closer the projections 38 are moved toward the lower electrode22. Also, such changing voltage can also be provided at the same timebetween the upper electrode 21 and the lower electrode 22 as desired.And it is also to be understood that the voltage between the electrodes21 and 22, as well as between the projections 38 at the lower electrode22, could be pulsed for the reasons fully set forth in theaforementioned Thomas U.S. Pat. No. 2,740,756, and the Muralidhara etal, U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,964.

Therefore, it is to be understood that in all of the embodiments of thisinvention, the voltage being provided between two members thereof foracting in the liquid bearing material between those two members can besteady, varying, pulsed or oscillated, or be any combination thereof inseries, if desired.

Also, it is believed that it might be desirable to apply the sonic orultrasonic energy to the liquid bearing material between the electrodeor the two members while the voltage therebetween is being changed or isremaining steady, and it is believed that it might be desirable to alsohave that sonic or ultrasonic energy be varying in an increasing manneror in a decreasing manner, be pulsed, etc., whereby it is to beunderstood that in all of the embodiments of this invention the sonic orultrasonic energy can be varied at the same time the voltage is beingvaried, etc.

Also, it is to be understood that the ends 45 of the projections 38 canbe shaped in any suitable manner so as to enhance not only theprojecting action thereof into the material 23, but also to enhance theshape of the nonuniform fields 46 being created thereby.

For example, another method and apparatus of this invention is generallyindicated by the reference numeral in FIGS. 3-5 and parts thereofsimilar to the parts of the method and apparatus 20 previously describedare indicated by like reference numerals followed by the referenceletter "A"

In regard to the method and apparatus 20A illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 andthe other embodiments of this invention as illustrated in FIGS. 6-15, itis to be understood that such methods and apparatus can have the suctionmeans 32 and chamber defining means 34 utilized therewith as well as thecharging means 27 and 43 previously described as the same are merely notillustrated in FIGS. 3-20 (as well as in FIG. 2) in order to simplifythe drawings and not for the purpose of indicating that such means arenot being utilized therewith. In fact, the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 8-15 merely illustrate one projection and it is to be understoodthat a plurality of like projections would be utilized therewith.However, it is to be understood that each embodiment of this inventionneed only have one movable projection rather than a plurality thereof,if desired. Also, the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8-15 do notprovide the vibrating means 47, 48 and 49 as provided in FIGS. 1-5 andit is to be understood that such vibration means would be utilized withthe embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8-15, if desired.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, it can be seen that the apparatus andmethod 20A is substantially the same as the method and apparatus 20previously described except that the projection means 38A respectivelyhave substantially pointed end surface means 51 that are substantiallyconical and have sharp pointed apexes 52 whereby such pointed endsurfaces 51 create the nonuniform electrostatic fields 46A previouslydescribed with the lower electrode means 22A but with the more intenseportions 50A of the fields 46A being more intense than the intenseportions 50 of the nonuniform fields 46 previously described because ofthe pointed arrangement 51, 52 of the projection means 38A. Thus, it isbelieved that a greater amount of dewatering will be created by the moreintense portions 50A of the nonuniform fields 46A than by the intensiveportions 50 of the nonuniform fields 46 previously described.

Therefore, since the operation of the method and apparatus 20A issubstantially the same as the operation of the method and apparatus 20previously described, a further description of the operation of themethod and apparatus 20A is not necessary.

While the methods and apparatus 20 and 20A previously described each hasthe means 32 for creating a pressure differential across the lowerelectrode 22 or 22A, it is to be understood that a pressure differentialcould be created also across the upper electrode 21 or 21A together withor without the means 32 for creating a pressure differential across thelower electrode 22 or 22A.

For example, reference is now made to FIG. 5 wherein it can be seen thatthe projections 38A of the apparatus 20A have been moved upwardly so asto provide means for directing air or any desired fluid under pressureas indicated by the arrows 53, into the openings 41A in the upperelectrode 21A so as to create a pressure differential across the upperelectrode 21A and thereby act on the liquid bearing material 23A to tendto force liquid from the material 23A out through the lower electrode22A as previously set forth, such upper electrode pressure differentialcreating means and lower electrode pressure differential creating meansalso being provided in the aforementioned Candor U.S. Pat. No.3,931,682.

While the needle-like projections 38 and 38A have been illustrated anddescribed as being, in effect, in electrical contact with theirrespective upper electrodes 21 and 21A whereby separate means forcharging the projections 38 and 38A need not be provided because merelycharging the electrode plates 21 and 21A will cause the projections 38and 38A to be charged therefrom without requiring the extra chargingmeans 43 previously described, it is to be understood that theneedle-like projections of this invention can be insulated from theupper electrode that receives the same respectively through openingmeans of such upper electrode so that the projections can be chargedwith a different potential than the potential being imposed upon theelectrode carrying such projections.

For example, reference is now made to FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein anotherapparatus and method of this invention is generally indicated by thereference numeral 20B and parts thereof similar to the parts of themethod and apparatus 20 and 20A previously described are indicated bylike reference numerals followed by the reference letter "B".

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the apparatus and method 20B issubstantially the same as the method and apparatus 20 previouslydescribed except that the upper electrode 21B carries electricallyinsulating means 54 that not only lines the opening means 41B thereof soas to prevent the projections 38B from making electrical contact withthe upper electrode 21B, but also the insulating means 54 covers theupper surface 42B of the electrode 21B so that should the plate 40B forthe needle-like projections 38B be charged with a charge different thanthe potential charge of the upper electrode 21B, a resulting fieldtherebetween will be muted and thereby not adversely affect theoperation of the apparatus 20B as hereinafter set forth.

The initial operation of the apparatus and method 20B of FIGS. 6 and 7is substantially the same as the method and apparatus 20 of FIGS. 1 and2 wherein the upper electrode 21B and plate 40B are charged with thesame potential, such as positive, while the lower electrode 22B ischarged with the opposite potential, such as negative, to create theuniform field 28B therebetween for acting on the material 23B disposedbetween the electrodes 21B and 22B.

Thereafter, the upper plate 40B is moved toward the upper electrode 21Bso as to cause the projections 38B to now have the ends 45B thereofreceived within the material 23B and at a certain point in the depth ofprojection of the projections. 38B into the material 23B, the potentialto the upper electrode 21B can be changed to ground or to a negativepotential that is opposite to the potential of the projections 38B suchas by being charged with the same potential as the lower electrode 22Bso that the projections 38B not only form the nonuniform fields 46B withthe lower electrode 22B for the purpose previously described but alsothe projections 38B create upper nonuniform fields 55 with the upperelectrode 21B to operate on the material 21B between the upper electrode21B and the ends 45B of the projections 38B in such a manner that themore intense portions 56 of the upper nonuniform fields 55 tend to movethe particles of the liquid bearing material 23B with a greaterintensity toward the lower ends 45B of the projections 38B than if thefields had merely been uniform.

If desired, during the operation of the apparatus and method 20B, thecharging of the upper electrode 21B can be changed from being chargedwith the same potential as the projections 38B back to being grounded orbeing charged with an opposite potential to the projections 38B and thenagain back to the same potential as the projections 38B during the timethe projections 38B are being utilized intermediate the electrodes 21Band 22B to dewater the material 23B therebetween.

Other means of this invention for electrically insulating theprojections from the electrode through which the projections are beingmoved is to insulate the projections themselves from the electrodereceiving the same.

For example, reference is now being made to FIGS. 8 and 9 whereinanother apparatus and method of this invention is generally indicated bythe reference numeral 20C and parts thereof similar to the parts of themethods and apparatus 20-20B previously described are indicated by likereference numerals followed by the reference letter "C".

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, it can be seen that the projections 38Care each formed in a manner similar to a nail wherein the same has anenlarged disk-like head or end 57 and a substantially smaller diametershaft-like portion or body 58 that is interconnected to the plate 40C,each head 57 having a diameter that is substantially the same as thediameter of its respective opening 41C that is formed through the upperelectrode plate 21C as illustrated in FIG. 8. The shaft or body portion38 of each projection 38C is covered with electrically insulatingmaterial 59 so that the projections 38C can readily move in theirrespective openings 41C from the position illustrated in FIG. 8 to theposition illustrated in FIG. 9 while completely blocking any fluid flowthrough the openings 41C in the same manner as the projections 38previously described.

In this manner, when the projections 38C are in the position illustratedin FIG. 8, it can be seen that the heads 57 of the projections 38C havetheir lower flat surfaces 60 disposed substantially flush with the lowerflat surface 24A of the upper electrode 21C so that the upper electrode21C can be charged with the same charge as the projections 38C toproduce the uniform electrostatic field 28C previously described.

However, as the projections 38C are being moved into the material 23C inthe manner illustrated in FIG. 9, by maintaining the charge on theprojections 38C with the same potential as the electrode 21C, theprojections 38C will form the nonuniform fields 46 with the lowerelectrode 22C as previously described.

However, by charging the projections 38C with the same potential as thelower electrode 22C and opposite to the upper electrode 21B, theenlarged heads 57 of the projections 38C will respectively form uppernonuniform fields 61 with the upper electrode 21C in such a manner thatthe more intense portions 62 of the nonuniform fields 61 will beadjacent the heads 57 of the projections 38C and tend to move the watertoward the heads 57 with a greater intensity than the uniform field 28Cas the projections 38C are completely insulated from the upper electrode21C once the heads 57 have cleared the openings 41C in the electrode21C.

Therefore, the charging of the projections 38C in the upper electrode21C after the heads 57 of the projections 38C have been moved into thematerial 23C beyond the lower surface 24C of the upper electrode 21Cpermits any combination of charging between the projections 38C and theupper electrode 21C as desired.

While the various needle-like projections of this invention have beenpreviously described as projecting through openings in the upperelectrode of the various arrangements, it is to be understood that theprojections of this invention can project through opening means in thelower electrode if desired.

For example, reference is now made to FIGS. 10 and 11 wherein anotherapparatus and method of this invention is generally indicated by thereference numeral 20D and parts thereof similar to the parts of theapparatus and methods 20-20C previously described are indicated by likereference numerals followed by the reference letter "D".

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lower electrode 22D is providedwith a plurality of openings 41D in addition to the passages 26D thereoffor having the projections 38D respectively received therein so that theprojections 38D can be charged with the same charge as the lowerelectrode 22D to form the nonuniform fields 46D with the upper electrode21D so that the more intense portion 50D of each nonuniform field 46D isadjacent the end 45D of the respective projection 38D.

In fact, it may be found that it is best to start with the projections38D fully projected into the material 23D at the start of the dewateringoperation and subsequently pull the projections 38D down to the finalposition illustrated in FIG. 11. But, of course, the projections 38Dcould start in the position of FIG. 11 if desired or in any otherposition as previously described.

While the projections that project through the openings in the lowerelectrode of the arrangement of this invention can be insulated fromsuch lower electrode in the same manner as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7,the projections are illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 as being insulatedfrom the lower electrode in the same manner as the upper projections inFIGS. 8 and 9.

In particular, another method and apparatus of this invention isgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 20E in FIGS. 12 and 13 andparts thereof similar to the parts of the apparatus and methods 20-20Dof this invention are indicated by like reference numerals followed bythe reference "E".

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the projections 38E have the enlargedheads 57E and have the body portions 58E thereof covered with insulation59E so as to permit the electrodes 38E to be charged with a chargedifferent than the charge on the lower electrode 22E, if desired.

For example, it can be seen in FIG. 13 that when the projection 38E ischarged with a charge different than the charge on the lower electrode22E and the projection 38E has the head 57E disposed within the material23E between the electrodes 21E and 22E, a lower nonuniform electrostaticfield 63 is formed between the head 57E and the lower electrode 22E withthe nonuniform field 63 having its more intense portion 64 beingdisposed adjacent the head 57E as previously described.

Therefore, it can be seen that when the head 57E of a projection 38E iscloser to the upper electrode 21E as illustrated in FIG. 12, theprojection 38E can be provided with a charge that is opposite to thecharge of the upper electrode 21E to create the upper nonuniform field46E in the same manner as the upper nonuniform field 46D previouslydescribed. However, as the projection 38E has its end 57E moved closerto the lower electrode 22E, the charge on the projection 38E can bechanged to be opposite to the charge on the lower electrode 22E to formthe lower nonuniform electrostatic field 63 as illustrated in FIG. 13.

While the various apparatus and methods of this invention previouslydescribed have the plurality of needle-like projection means eitherbeing disposed through the upper electrode or through the lowerelectrode, it is to be understood that the needle-like projections ofthis invention can have one set thereof projecting through the upperelectrode and another set thereof projecting through the lowerelectrode, the two sets of needle-like projections either being in analigned relation or being staggered relative to each other in anydesired pattern.

For example, another apparatus and method of this invention is generallyindicated by the reference numeral 20F in FIG. 14 and parts thereofsimilar to the parts of the apparatus and methods 20-20E previouslydescribed are indicated by like reference numerals followed by thereference letter "F".

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the apparatus and method 20F has a pluralityof needle-like electrodes 38F previously described and extending throughcooperating opening means 41F in the upper electrode 21F. Similarly, aplurality of electrode means 38F extend through opening means 41F in thelower electrode 22F with the lower projections 38F being formed in amanner similar to the upper projections 38F.

In addition, each projection 38F has insulating means 65 disposed on theouter end surface 60F of the enlarged head 57F thereof.

While the projection means 38F of the apparatus and method 20F of thisinvention have the upper set and the lower set thereof disposed inaxially aligned relation, it is to be understood that the same could bestaggered relative to each other so that the lower set of projections38F could extend all the way from the bottom electrode 22F to the upperelectrode 21F and the upper projections 38F could extend all the wayfrom the upper electrode 21F to the bottom electrode 22F as desired.

However, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14 wherein the upper andlower projections 38F are disposed in axially aligned relation, it canbe seen that when the projections 38F are respectively disposed withinthe liquid bearing material 23F between the electrodes 21F and 22F, theupper projections 38F can be charged with a potential that is oppositeto the potential on the lower projections 38F so as to form a nonuniformfield 66 between the enlarged heads 57F of the axially alignedprojections 38F as illustrated in FIG. 14 wherein it can be seen thateach nonuniform field 66 has the opposed intense portions 67 thereofrespectively disposed adjacent the peripheral edges 68 of the respectiveenlarged heads 57F that are not covered by insulation means, suchnonuniform field 66 acting on the liquid bearing material 23F betweenthe electrodes 21F and 22F to tend to cause the liquid to move from theupper projection 38F to the lower projection 38F and the particles inthe liquid bearing material 23F to move from the lower projection 38F tothe upper projection 38F.

In addition, the upper projection 38F can be charged with a potentialdifferent than the potential charge on the upper electrode 21F to formthe upper nonuniform field 46F for the purpose previously described.Likewise, the lower projection 38F can be charged with a potential thatis different than the potential on the lower electrode 22F to form thelower nonuniform field 63F. For example, the upper electrode 21F canhave a positive charge thereon while the upper projection 38F has anegative charge thereon. The lower electrode 22F can have a negativecharge thereon and the lower projection 38F can have a positive chargethereon.

It is to be understood that during the operation of the apparatus andmethod 20F the upper and lower projections 38F can have the ends 65thereof disposed flush with the facing surfaces 24F and 25F of theelectrodes 21F and 22F so that the substantially uniform electrostaticfield is created between the electrodes 21F and 22F and thereafter theprojections 38F can be moved inwardly to any desired degree into thematerial 23F as desired. For example, the two projections 38Fillustrated can actually have the insulation means 65 thereof touchingeach other so that the projections 38F will move in unison with theintermediate electrostatic field 65 actually beginning just below theupper electrode 21F and then be caused to move downwardly to almost thebottom electrode 22F as desired. Also, it is to be understood that thespacing between the ends 65 of the projections 38F of the upper andlower projections 38F can be varied from a c lose spacing therebetweento a wide space therebetween so as to cause the various fields 46F, 66and 63F to operate in any desired manner on the material 23F.

While the method and apparatus 20F previously described has a pluralityof upper projections 38F and a plurality of lower projections 38F, it isto be understood that the method and apparatus of this invention canhave projections that always extend between both the upper and lowerelectrodes of the apparatus, if desired.

For example, another apparatus and method of this invention is generallyindicated by the reference numeral 20G in FIG. 15 and parts thereofsimilar to the parts of the apparatus and methods 20-20F previouslydescribed are indicated by like reference numerals followed by thereference letter "G".

As illustrated in FIG. 15, a plurality of projections 38G are provided(only one such projection 38G being illustrated in FIG. 15) thatrespectively pass through aligned openings 41G in the upper electrode21G and lower electrode 22G, each projection 38G comprising a bodyportion 58G and an enlarged disk-like intermediate portion 57G that hasonly its outer peripheral edge 67G exposed as the remainder of the bodyport ion 58G on opposite sides of the head 57G is covered by theinsulating material 59G as previously described.

In this manner, each projection 38G can be provided with a charge thatis opposite to the charge on the upper electrode 21G so as to form theupper nonuniform field 56G therewith with such nonuniform field 56Gbeing caused to move from the upper electrode 21G down toward the bottomelectrode 22G as the intermediate portion 57G of the projection 38G ismoved downwardly. Of course, as the projection 38G is moved downwardly,the projection 38G can have the charge thereon changed so as to beopposite to the charge on the lower electrode 22G and thereby cause afield similar to the field 63 of FIG. 13 to now occur between the outerperipheral surface 68G of the enlarged head 57G and the lower electrode22G as desired.

Therefore, it can be seen that in all of the various embodiments of theapparatus and method of this invention so far described, the projectionsare utilized to create nonuniform fields that will act on the liquidbearing material that is disposed between the normal or conventionalelectrodes so as to enhance the amount of dewatering and/or cakesolidification as the case may be.

It is also to be understood that during the operation of the variousapparatus and methods of this invention, the charging of the variouselectrodes and projections can be arranged so that the same willoscillate between the charging thereof so that the resultingelectrostatic fields will oscillate and thereby cause a dielectricheating of the liquid bearing material to a certain degree and then theoscillation of the fields can be terminated and the fields then beingused to perform their dewatering function in the manner previouslydescribed, the heating of the liquid bearing material facilitating thedewatering thereof because of the lowering of the viscosity of theliquid through the heating thereof.

In fact, it may be found that the sonic or ultrasonic vibrating of theliquid bearing material through the nonuniform fields created by theprojections of this invention will result in a dielectric heating of theliquid bearing material through just the action of the particles andliquid moving across the angled field lines created by the projectionsin much the same manner as fully set forth in the Candor U.S. Pat. No.4,404,765, whereby this patent is also being incorporated into thisdisclosure by this reference thereto.

It is to be understood that the projections of this invention can beuniformly arranged on their respective carrying plate or could bearranged in any desired pattern thereon. Also, the projections couldhave any desired lengths and diameters relative to each other or couldbe uniform relative to each other as desired.

In fact, while the projections of this invention have been described as"needle-like", it is to be understood that such term could apply toprojections that are similar in size and shape to sewing needles orsmaller or could apply to large knitting needles or larger as desired.

Also, it may be found that the vibration of the projections of thisinvention and/or the vibration of the liquid bearing material relativeto the projections will not only enhance the dewatering operation aspreviously described, but also such vibration action may prevent theparticles of the liquid bearing material from adhering to theprojections and/or electrodes so as to enhance subsequent removal of thedewatered material from the apparatus of this invention.

For example, see FIG. 2A wherein it is believed that the vibration ofthe material 23 and/or projections 38 actually causes the cake material23 to form in a spaced relation as indicated by the material free area23' around the sides and ends 45 of the projections 38.

Also, while the projections of this invention have been illustrated anddescribed as having a substantially circular transverse cross-sectionalconfiguration, it is to be understood that the projections of thisinvention can have any desired transverse cross-sectional configurationand, in fact, can have a serrated, knife-like or rectangularconfiguration with the longitudinal axis of the projection extendingparallel to the electrode carrying the same rather than transversethereto as previously described. For example, see FIGS. 16-18 of theCandor et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,282, whereby this patent is beingincorporated into this disclosure by this reference thereto.

In all of the arrangements of this invention previously described andhereinafter described, it is to be understood that the voltage betweenthe upper and lower electrodes can be maintained substantially uniformthroughout the entire dewatering operation or may vary throughout theentire dewatering operation, as well as be unidirectional pulsed oroscillated. For example, the voltage between the two main electrodes caninitially any amount, such as 50 volts, and then as more and more liquidis removed, the voltage can be increased so that by the time thedewatering operation is ended, the voltage between the main electrodescan be several thousand volts or more as desired. This is because thecurrent flow, if any, between the main electrodes decreases as theliquid is being removed wise such uniform or varying voltage can beprovided between the projections of this invention and their cooperatingelectrode or electrodes.

It may be found that when dewatering with the main pair of electrodes,the removal of the liquid of the liquid bearing material by the uniformelectrostatic field eventually produces a cake therefrom that preventsfurther dewatering thereof because the liquid remaining in the cake nolounger electrical contact with at least one of the main electrodes,However, it is believed that by inserting the projections this inventioninto such cake, further dewatering thereof will take place not onlythrough the previously described nonuniform field action createdthereby, but also by the fact that such charged electrodes will now beplaced into electrical contact with the remaining liquid in the cake toprovide an electrical current path therethrough which will occur betweensuch projections and at least one of the electrodes that provide apotential differential therebetween as it may be found that it is bestto always have some electrical current flow through the liquid bearingmaterial to produce a liquid removing action there from.

In contrast, it may be found that it is desirable to completelyelectrically insulate the projections of this invention from the liquidbearing material as well as to electrically insulate the main electrodestherefrom either by having the contacting surfaces of the mainelectrodes covered with electrically insulating material or having thesame spaced from the liquid bearing material as fully illustrated anddescribed in the aforementioned Candor U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,317.

Therefore, it can be seen that the terms "electrostatic field" and"electric field" as used in this application are synonymous and areintended to describe a uniform or nonuniform field that is steady,varying, unidirectional pulsed or oscillated and that is created throughthe liquid bearing material disposed between two members that have apotential differential imposed thereon in a manner to be a steadyvoltage, a varying voltage, a unidirection pulsed voltage or anoscillating voltage whether those members are in electrical contact withthe liquid bearing material or electrically insulated therefrom. Thus,it is believed that a higher voltage between such members must beutilized to remove liquid from the liquid bearing material when noelectrical current is flowing between such members and through theliquid bearing material. However, it is realized that different liquidbearing materials have different conductivities and that some liquidbearing materials have substantially no conductivity whereby the voltageutilized for dewatering a particular liquid bearing material will bedifferent than the voltage utilized for dewatering another type ofliquid bearing material and that the voltage utilized will be differentif tile members are electrically insulated from particular liquidbearing material than the voltage utilized the members are in electricalcontact with that particular liquid bearing material.

While it has been previously theorized that the various nonuniformfields of this invention tend to more solidly move the particles of theliquid bearing material closer together to enhance the dewateringoperation, it may be found that, in lieu thereof or in addition thereto,a more beneficial effect of the nonuniform fields of this invention isto actually cause a migration of the liquid in the resulting cake towardthe projection means of this invention as it is believed that liquid incapillaries or porous material tends to physically move in the directionof increasing field inhomogeneity to the capillary or pore mouth when aninhomogeneous electrostatic or electric field or nonuniformelectrostatic or electric field is directed across that capillary orporous body. For example, see the article "Effect of a Corona DischargeField On Evaporation of Liquid From Capillaries" by Karpovich et al, J.Eng. Phys., 1981, 41, 1333. In addition, see the article "Study ofElectric Field-Induced Effects On Water Vapor Adsorption in PorousAdsorbents" by Someshwar et al, Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundam., 1985, 24,215-220; the article "Effect Of An Electric Field On The Kinetics ofWater Sorption By A Capillary-Porous Material" by Panchenko et al, J.Eng. Phys., 1972, 22, 554, and the article "Influence of InhomogeneousElectric and Magnetic Fields on Internal Mass Transfer InCapillary-Porous Bodies" by Panasyuk et al, J. Eng. Phys., 1978, 35,827, whereby these four articles are being incorporated into thisdisclosure by this reference thereto.

Therefore, it may be found that when utilizing the basic upper and lowerelectrodes 21 and 22 to provide a uniform field therebetween forinitially dewatering the slurry 23 disposed therebetween by theaforementioned electro-phoretic and electro-osmotic operation, theresulting cake that forms against that the upper electrode 21 no longermakes electrical contact with the remaining liquid in the material 23disposed between the electrodes 21 and 22 even after the remainingmaterial has been vibrated in the manner previously described.

It is believed that by moving the projections 38, FIGS. 1 and 2, of thisinvention into the cake 23 below the surface 24 of the upper electrode21, not only will the projections 38 be moved through the dewatered partof the cake adjacent the surface 24 of the upper electrode 21 so as toplaced into electrical contact with the liquid in the material 23 aspreviously set forth, but also it may be found that the uniform fieldsbeing created by the projections 38 with the electrode 22, asrepresented by the reference numeral 46 in FIG. 2, each has the fieldlines 50 thereof radiating toward the respective projection 38 so thatsuch radiating lines 50 actually cause a migration of the liquid in thepores of the material 23 toward the projections 38 for the reasons setforth in the previously mentioned four articles so that when themigrating liquid reaches the projections 38 then the same provideselectrical continuity between the projections 38 and the lower electrode22 to further the dewatering operation by the aforementionedelectro-osmotic operation previously set forth. In order to enhance themigration of the liquid by the nonuniform fields 46 converging towardthe projections 38, the vibration of the material 23 in any of themanners previously set forth may reduce the surface tension in thecapillaries or pores of the material 23 so as to further enhance themovement of the liquid in the pores or capillaries toward theprojections 38 for the dewatering function of this invention as well asmay form cracks or fissures in the cake material 23 to enhance themigration toward the projections 38.

Therefore, the operation of the method and apparatus of this inventionillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may occur as follows.

After the electrodes 21 and 22 have been utilized to form the uniformfield therebetween to initially dewater the material 23 as previouslyset forth, in combination with or without the vibratory action, and thecake forming against the under surface 24 of the electrode 21 has nowbeen dewatered sufficiently that electrical continuity is no longerprovided by the liquid in the material 23 between the upper and lowerelectrodes 21 and 22, the projections 38 are initially moved downwardlyso as to have the ends 45 thereof project be low surface 24 of the upperelectrode 21 whereby it is believed that the same will now be placed inelectrical contact with the liquid in the material 23 that is stillbelow the electrode 21 so as to further dewater the material 23 betweenthose projections 38 and the lower electrode 22. However, even at thispoint of the initial insertion of the projections 38, eventually theliquid adjacent the projections 38 will have been dewatered away fromthe same so that it is desired to have the water flow to the projections38. This may be accomplished by the aforementioned nonuniform fields 46acting on the cake material around the projections 38 to tend to causemigration of the liquid in the pores or capillaries of the cake towardthe projections 38, and through the vibration of the cake material 23,the movement of the liquid will be enhanced toward the projections 38.However, it may be found that it is necessary to increase the voltagebetween the projections 38 and the lower electrode 22 at this time inorder to assure the migration of the liquid by the nonuniform fields 46toward the projections 38 as it is believed that the greater the voltageacross the electrode 22 to the projections 38, the greater the strengthor intensity of the nonuniform fields 46 in dewatering the material 23.Once the liquid reaches the projections 38 so as to provide electricalcontinuity between the projections 38 and the lower electrode 22 for theaforementioned electro-osmotic operation, then the voltage between theprojections 38 and the lower electrode 22 may be decreased until it isdesired to again try to migrate liquid toward the projections 38 eitherin the last inserted position thereof or after the same have beenfurther progressively moved into the cake material 23 between theelectrodes 21 and 22. Obviously, if vibration action is taking placewhen the projections 38 are being moved into the cake material thevibrating action will reduce the force necessary to push the projections38 into the cake 23.

Thus, it can be seen that the projections 38 may not only cause theparticles of the cake material 2 3 to become closely packed by thenonuniform fields 46 as previously described, but also the nonuniformfields 46 may then cause the liquid within the pores and capillaries ofthe dewatered cake to migrate toward the projections 38 through theconverging field lines 50 thereof as previously set forth.

This nonuniform field effect for moving the liquid that remains in thedewatered cake toward the projections of this invention is highlightedby the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 of applicant's drawingswherein the upper nonuniform fields 55 being created between the upperelectrode 21B and the projections 38B by having the upper electrode 21Bcharged oppositely to the projections 38B obviously have the field lines56 thereof converging toward the projections 38B to provide nonuniformfields converging toward the projections 38B throughout the entirelength thereof be low the lower surface of the upper electrode 21B sothat when the liquid reaches the projections 38B by the nonuniform fieldeffect, the liquid will flow to the ends 45B of the projections 38B tobe directed toward the lower electrode 21B by the lower fields 46Bcreating the electro-osmotic effect therebetween as previously setforth. And it can be seen that during the entire time the projections38B are being moved downwardly into the material 23B, the uppernonuniform fields 55 are trying to direct liquid to the entire length ofthe respective projections 38B.

It is believed that if the material 23B and/or projections 38B are beingvibrated during such time that the projections 38B are projecting intothe material 38B, the liquid being drawn to the projections 38B by therespective nonuniform fields 55 will be received in the spaces createdby the vibrating projections 38B and the cake of material 23B adjacentthereto, such as the space 23' of FIG. 2A previously described, andthereby flow to the ends of the projections 38B by gravity, etc., so asto provide an electrical path from the ends of the projections 38Bthrough the liquid in the material 23B between the ends of theprojections 38B and the lower electrode 22B. In fact, it might be foundthat the vibrating movement of the projections 38B and/or material 23Bcauses the projections 38B to, in effect, respectively and rapidly moveback and forth in the spaces between the cake of material 23B andactually pump the liquid drawn into such spaces toward the ends of theprojections 38B.

Therefore, it can be seen in all of the embodiments of this inventionthat because the nonuniform fields have the more intense portionsthereof converge toward the projections that cooperate in forming thosenonuniform fields, such nonuniform fields can be utilized for thepurpose of causing the liquid remaining in the pores and capillaries ofthe material being dewatered by the apparatus and method of thisinvention to migrate toward those projections by the nonuniform fieldeffect being enhanced by the vibration of the material which reduces thesurface tension or capillary holding effect of the capillaries on thatliquid so that the liquid is more readily drawn toward the projectionsby the nonuniform field effect previously set forth.

In fact, it may be found that it is desired to enhance the nonuniformfield effect acting across the partially dewatered cake to cause theremaining moisture therein to migrate toward the projections of thisinvention.

One apparatus and method of this invention for further enhancing thenonuniform field effect is generally indicated by the reference numeral20H in FIGS. 16-18 and parts of the method and apparatus 20H of thisinvention that are similar the parts of the methods and apparatuspreviously set forth are indicated by like reference numerals followedby the reference letter "H".

As indicated in FIG. 16, the method and apparatus of this inventionincludes the upper electrode means 21H and lower electrode means 22Hwith the material 23H being disposed therebetween in the mannerpreviously set forth to be dewatered by the electrodes 21H and 22H beingoppositely charged by any suitable means, such as by the electrode 21Hhaving a positive charge imposed thereon and the lower electrode 22Hhaving a negative charged imposed thereon.

The method and apparatus 20H of this invention includes a plurality ofconductive cylindrical projections 38H being carried in spaced apartrelation by a plate means 40H that is formed of electrically insulatingmaterial so that the projections 38H are completely electricallyseparated from other by the plate means 40H but are electricallyinterconnected together by a lead means 70 to a charging means 71 whichis adapted to charge the projections 38H with any desired potential suchas the positive potential illustrated.

In addition, the upper plate 40H carries a plurality of flat conductiveprojections or plates 72 which have opposed flat sides 73 respectivelyfacing the projections 38H in the pattern illustrated in FIG. 18 so thatit can be seen that each projection 38H has four sides 73 of four plates72 facing the same, the upper electrode 21H having the opening means 41Hformed therethrough in the same pattern and in the same configuration asthe projections 38H and plates 72 so that the plates 72 and projections38H can be moved through the openings 41H in unison by the plate 40H.The openings 41H and the upper surface 42H of the upper electrode 21Hare lined with suitable electrically insulating means 54H in the samemanner as the electrode 21B previously described.

The plates 72 are carried by the upper insulating plate 40H in such amanner that the same are adapted to be all electrically interconnectedto a lead means 74 that is adapted to be charged by a suitable chargingmeans 75 with any suitable charge, such is the negative charge asillustrated in FIG. 16.

While the plates 72 and projections 38H are so arranged on theinsulating plate 40H so that the lower ends or surfaces 45H of theprojections 38H are at the same level as the lower ends 76 of the plates72, it is to be understood that the ends 45H of the projections 38Hcould be above or below surfaces 76 of the plates 72, if desired.

In addition, it can be seen that the ends 76 of the plates 72 carryelectrically insulating extensions 77 thereon so that the extensions 77are adapted to abut against the upper surface 25H of the lower electrode22H should the plate 40H be moved downwardly relative to the lowerelectrode 22H to a position wherein the extensions 77 abut the surface25H so that it can be seen that the projections 38H in such a situationwill still have the lower surfaces 45H thereof spaced above the surface25H of the lower electrode 22H so as to prevent direct shortingtherebetween. In addition, the extensions 77 could be of a length thatspaces the bottoms 76 of the plates 72 from the surface 25H of theelectrode 22H when the extensions 77 are against the surface 25H adistance that is greater than the distance that the sides 73 of theplates 72 are spaced from their cooperating projections 38II for apurpose hereinafter set forth.

While the method and apparatus 20H illustrated in FIG. 16 is not shownto have the evacuating means 32 previously described, it is to beunderstood that the same can have such evacuation means 32 asillustrated in FIG. 1 utilized therewith and that the plates 40H, 21Hand 22H can be vibrated by the respective means 49H, 47H and 48H aspreviously described, if desired.

The operation of the method and apparatus 20H of this invention will nowbe described.

When the material 23H is initially introduced between the upper andlower electrodes 21H and 22H, the plate 40H can be in a raised conditionso that the ends 45H of the project ions 38H are substantially flushwith the lower surface 24H of the upper electrode 21H so that only auniform field will be created between the electrodes 21H and 22H duringthe initial dewatering operation on the material 23H as previously setforth.

However, after the formation of a cake against the surface 24H so thatthe retained liquid in such cake is no longer in electrical contact withthe electrode 21H or even if the same is in electrical contact but thedewatering operation is slowed down, the plate 40H is moved downwardlythat the projections 38H and plates 72 are moved into the material 23Hto a desired degree. At this time, the plates 72 and projections 38H areoppositely charged with the projections 38H having an opposite charge tothe lower electrode 22H. Since the plates 72 are oppositely chargedrelative to the projections 38H, nonuniform fields 80 are created withthe projections 38H as illustrated in FIG. 18 with each field 80 havingits more intense portion 81 of its field lines 82 converging toward theprojections 38H and away from the facing sides 73 of the plates 72.

In this manner, it is believed that relatively strong nonuniformelectrostatic or electric fields can be created between the plates 72and projections 38H by creating a relatively large voltage between theplates 72 and the projections 38H while a normal low voltage ismaintained between the projections 38H and the lower electrodes 22H sothat the liquid remaining in the cake material 23H between theprojections and the plates 72 will be caused to migrate toward theprojections 38H and run down the projections 38H or be moved toward theends 45H thereof and be directed toward the lower electrode 22H by theaforementioned electro-osmotic action. Of course, if a vibratory actionis also being imposed at this time, the migration of the liquid towardthe projections 38H as well as the dewatering operation between theprojections 38H and tile bottom electrode plate 22H will be enhanced aspreviously set forth.

Thus, as the projections 38H and plates 72 are projected furtherdownwardly into the material 23H, a greater surface area of the plates72 and projections 38H have the nonuniform fields acting therebetweenfor dewatering purposes and, or course, the vibration of the material23H will enhance the migration of that retained liquid toward theprojections 38H for the reasons previously set forth. Accordingly, itcan be seen that the cake material 23H adjacent the upper electrode 21Hcontinuously has the nonuniform fields 80 acting thereon the entire timethe projections 38H and 72 are being moved toward the lower electrode22H so that it is believed that the drier part of the cake material 23Hwill be subjected to the nonuniform field effect for a longer period oftime than the more wet portions thereof.

Eventually, the plates 72 can have the insulating extensions 77 thereofabut against the surface 25H of the lower electrode 22H so as to preventfurther insertion of the projections 38H into the material 23H. Sincethe length of the extensions 77 can be longer than the distance of aside 73 of a plate 72 relative to its associated projection 38H, nofield effect will be created between the plates 72 and the bottomelectrode 22H. However, by using a different length for the extensions77, this could be different.

Therefore, it can be seen that the voltage between the side 73 of eachplate 72 and its associated projection means 38H can be several thousandvolts whereas the voltage between that projection 38H and the lowerelectrode 22H could be only 50 volts, if desired. Of course, it is to beunderstood that the voltage between the plates 72 and the projections38H and between the projections 38H and the electrode 22H can be anydesired voltage or any desired changing or pulsing voltage as desired.

While the plates 72 have been illustrated as having flat sides 73, it isto be understood that the plates 72 can have the sides 73 thereof of anydesired configuration.

For example, reference is now made to FIG. 19 wherein it can be seenthat the plates 72J have the sides 73J thereof defined on arcs thatwould describe a complete circle 83 about a particular projection 38J asillustrated.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to any shape of theplates 72 that cooperate with the projections 38H in forming thenonuniform fields 80 for the reasons previously set forth.

In regard to the lower nonuniform fields 46H being formed between theprojections 38H and the lower electrode 22H, it can be seen from FIG. 17that the field lines 84 radiate through the material 23H toward theparticular projection 38H to also tend to move the retained liquid inthe material 23H toward that projection 38H while the field lines thatare between the end 45H of that projection 38H and the upper surface 25Hof the lower electrode 22H are merely substantially vertical and,therefore, uniform between the ends 45H and a like circle area on thesurface 25H of the lower electrode 22H for the electro-osmotic functionpreviously set forth.

Therefore, it can be seen that while the various projections of thisinvention take up a relatively small area or volume of the total area orvolume between the upper and lower electrodes, the projections reach outthrough the nonuniform field effect thereof so as to tend to pull from alarge area or volume of the retained liquid in the liquid bearingmaterial toward those projections when those projections are beingutilized to form nonuniform fields in the various manners previously setforth.

Of course, after a dewatering operation with the apparatus and method20H of FIG. 16, the plate 40H is moved upwardly so as to remove theprojections 38H and plates 72 from between the electrodes 21H and 22Hwith the electrode 21H stripping any material sticking to theprojections 38H and plates 72 as the projections 38H and plates 72 moveup through their cooperating openings 41H of the electrode 21H aspreviously set forth.

It is also to be understood that the operation of the method andapparatus 20H of FIG. 16 can have the projections 38H and plates 72start in their completely down position or in any other degree ofprojection into the material 23H rather than wait until after adewatering operation by the electrodes 2 and 22H. Also, the plates 72and projections 38H could be extended up through the bottom electrode22H rather than through the upper electrode 21H or could projectseparately from opposite electrodes and directions as desired.

Also, it is to be understood that the plates 72 of this invention aspreviously described could be complete cylinders of electricallyconductive material that completely surrounds a projection 38H in aconcentric manner therewith, if desired.

Of course, it is to be understood that all of the projections 38H and 72can be of the same size and shape so as to merely create electrostaticfields therebetween whether such fields are uniform or nonuniform asdesired as an important feature of this invention is to create a fieldbetween projections that enhances the dewatering effect of at least oneof those projections with the regular electrodes of the dewateringapparatus and method.

In addition, it might be found that it is best start the dewateringoperation of the method and apparatus with the projections 38H andplates 72 in their completely down position relative to the lowerelectrode 22H so that the nonuniform fields 80 between the plates 72 andprojections 38H will cause a migration of the particles of the material23H toward the projections 38H by electrophoresis, as well as bydielectrophoresis, and liquid toward the plates 72 by electro-osmosis.The particles when reaching the projections 38H may then be drawnupwardly toward the upper electrode 21H by the normal electrophoreticaction caused by the electrodes 21H and 22H and the liquid when reachingthe plates 72 may then be drawn downwardly toward the lower electrode22H by the normal electroosmotic action caused by the electrodes 21H and22H. Thus, after a sufficient cake of the particles of the liquidbearing material 23It has formed against the upper electrode 21H, orbefore, the projections 38H and plates 72 can be moved upwardly to adesired up position thereof and then be progressively moved downwardlyas previously set forth to dewater the cake between the plates 72 andprojections 38H in the manner previously described wherein thenonuniform fields 80 cause the remaining liquid in the cake to now movetoward the projections 38H as capillaries or pores have now been formedby the particles forming the cake therebetween.

In the operation of the method and apparatus 20H previously described,it may be found that when it is desired to dewater the cake that hasformed between the projections 72 and 38H after each movement of theprojections 72 and 38H toward the lower electrode 2 2H takes place, theplates 72 should be first charged with a potential that is the samepotential to which the upper electrode 21H had been charged whilecharging the projections 38H to the same potential to which the lowerelectrode 22H had been charged to tend to cause the particles of thecake 23H to move toward the plates 72 by electrophoresis for the samereasons that the particles initially tended to move toward the upperelectrode 21H and to tend to cause the liquid of the cake 23H betweenthe plates 72 and projections 38H to move toward the projections 38H notonly for the same reason that the liquid initially tended to move byelectro-osmosis toward the lower electrode 22H, but also because of theaforementioned nonuniform field pulling or pushing effect of the fields80. Thereafter, the potential on the projections 38H and plates 72 canbe reversed so that plates 72 have the same potential as the lowerelectrode 22H and the projections 38H have the same potential as theupper electrode 21H not only to tend to cause the liquid that had beendrawn toward the projections 38H to now migrate toward the lowerelectrode 22H by electro-osmosis, but also to tend to further dewaterthe cake 23H between the plates 72 and projections 38H by the nonuniformfield effect thereon for the reasons previously set forth. Of course,the vibratory action can be imposed during the entire time or anydesired part or parts of the time that the projections 38H and 72 arebeing used. Also, the electrodes 21H and 22H can be charged during all,some or none of the time that the projections 72 and 38H are being used,as desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, it can be seen that the closer theplates 72 or 72J come to completing a square, the greater the amount ofarea of the nonuniform fields 80 will cover between such plates 72 and72J and their respective projections 38H and 38J. Also, it is to beunderstood that additional projections 38H and 38J could be disposedbetween the adjacent four corners defined by the plates 72 and 72J toform nonuniform fields therewith (such as disposing a projection 38Jwhere the reference numer 83 is located in FIG. 19 or where the lowerleft reference numer 80 is located in FIG. 18).

In this manner, substantially the entire area between the plates andprojections will have a nonuniform field acting therethrough with thecloseness of the plates and projections being governed by the strengthof the electrode 21H in having the cooperating openings 41H beingrelatively close to each other.

Thus, it is believed that the projections 38H will act as a pump meansto pump the liquid away from the ends or mouths of the capillaries orpores in the cake material 23H that are adjacent the projections 38H anddirect the thus removed liquid toward the lower electrode 22H byelectro-osmosis whereby the liquid in the capillaries or pores willcontinue to be moved toward the projections 38H by the nonuniform fields80 as previously set forth to be subsequently pumped away therefrom aspreviously set forth.

Accordingly, it can be seen that it is believed that this invention ofFIGS. 16-19 will use two field effects to enhance the dewateringoperation of the upper and lower electrodes 21H and 22H, one fieldeffect being between adjacent projections 38H and 72 and the other fieldeffect being between the projections 38H and the lower electrode 22H.Such two field effects can take effect in unison or in series, becontinuous or intermittent, etc., as desired. Also, the voltage forcreating the two field effects can be the same or different aspreviously set forth as well as be varied, pulsed or oscillated aspreviously set forth.

While the nonuniformity of the fields 80 of FIGS. 16, 18 and 19 is in aradial direction relative to the projections 38H and 38J, it is to beunderstood that a nonuniformity of the fields 80 could also be in avertical direction in FIG. 16 if the projections 38H are each providedwith spaced annular bands or spaced circles of points that projectoutwardly therefrom in a radial direction, such as illustrated in FIGS.10 and 11 of the aforementioned patent to King, U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,617.

Such an arrangement of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 20 whereinanother method and apparatus of this invention is generally indicated bythe reference numeral 20K and parts thereof that are similar to parts ofthe method and apparatus 20-20J previously described are indicated bylike reference numerals followed by the reference letter "K".

As illustrated in FIG. 20 the method and apparatus 20K is substantiallyidentical to the method and apparatus 20H of FIGS. 16 and 18 except thateach projection 38K has a plurality of radially outwardly extendingannular conductive bands 57K separated from each other by annular ringsof insulating material 59K as in FIG. 15 so that the resultingelectrostatic fields 80K created between each projection 38K and itscooperating plates 72K are in the nonuniform verticle arrangementillustrated in FIG. 20 as well as in the nonuniform horizontalarrangement as illustrated in FIG. 18.

While the various embodiments of this invention as previously set fortheach has the projections of this invention being adapted to respectivelyproject through cooperating opening means in one of the electrodes sothat those projections will extend from one side thereof into the liquidbearing material to have the liquid thereof acted upon thereby, it is tobe understood that each of the projections of this invention couldactually be carried by its respective electrode in a manner to projectfrom one side thereof to different positions relative to the materialbetween the electrodes and relative to that one electrode withoutpassing through opening means of that one electrode. For example, eachprojection could be hinged to that one side of that one electrode andhave suitable actuator means to cause that projection to project todifferent positions thereof relative to the material between theelectrodes and relative to that one electrode. Alternately, eachelectrode could be arranged to be expandable from that one side of thatone electrode so as to project to different positions thereof relativeto the material between the electrodes and relative to that oneelectrode.

In particular, reference is now made to FIGS. 21 and 22 wherein anothermethod and apparatus of this invention is generally indicated by thereference numeral 20L and parts thereof that are similar to the othermethods and apparatus 20A-20K of this invention are indicated by likereference numerals followed by the reference letter "L".

As illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, the method and apparatus 20L of thisinvention includes the upper electrode plate 21L having the side 24L,thereof disposed against the liquid bearing material 23L disposedbetween that upper electrode 21L and the lower electrode (not shown),such as the lower electrode 22 of FIG. 1.

The upper electrode 21L has a stepped opening 90 passing through theupper surface 42L thereof and the lower surface 24L thereof in such amanner to define an annular shoulder 91 intermediate the upper surface42L and the lower surface 24L as illustrated. The stepped opening 91 islined with a suitable electrically insulating material, such as thematerial 54L as illustrated, so as to electrically insulate a conductiveprojection 38L from the electrode plate 21L, the projection 38L beingadapted to be interconnected to a suitable electrical power source tohave a charge imposed thereon by a lead means 92 in the mannerpreviously described whereby the projection 38L is adapted to be chargedwith the same charge, a different charge, etc., than the electrode plate21L for the reasons previously set forth.

The projections 38L comprise a plurality of tubular sections 93Larranged to telescope together in a manner so as to be all disposedwithin the larger tubular section 93L' as illustrated in FIG. 21 andthereby be disposed substantially flush with the lower surface 24L ofthe electrode plate 21L. However, the tubular sections 93L are adaptedto be untelescoped from each other so that the smallest tubular section93L" is adapted to project into the material 23L various distances fromthe surface 24L of the electrode 21L depending upon the degree ofuntelescoping of the sections 93L.

For example, the sections 93L are adapted to be untelescoped from eachother by having a fluid pressure directed to the interior of thetelescoping sections 93L by a suitable pump means 94 having an outlet 95thereof interconnected to a conduit means 96 that leads to the interiorof the sections 93L. When it is desired to untelescope the sections 93Lso as to completely collapse the projections 38L into the larger section93L' thereof as illustrated in FIG. 21, the pump 94 can be reversed sothat the same creates a vacuum in the conduit 96 to thereby cause thesections 93L to retract under the oppositely directed pressuredifferential being created across the same. Alternately, the smallesttubular section 93L" of the projection 38L could be interconnected tothe larger section 93L'by a tension spring (not shown) which wouldretract the tubular sections 93L within the larger section 93L ' whenthe air pressure being directed to the interior of the stack 93L wasterminated and vented by the pump 94.

In any event, it can be seen that the method and apparatus 20L of FIGS.21 and 22 permit the projection 38L to be moved from various positionsthereof so as to project beyond the surface 24L of the electrode 21Linto the material 23L to different positions relative to that materialbetween the electrodes and relative to that one electrode 21L withoutfirst passing through an opening means of that electrode 21L as in theother embodiments of this invention, the projection 38L being used inthe manner previously set forth to assist in the liquid removingoperation of the apparatus 20L.

Therefore, it is to be understood that one or more the projections ineach of the embodiments of this invention previously set forth could beof the type illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 to function in the mannerpreviously set forth.

For example, when viewing the embodiment 20H illustrated in FIG. 16,both projections 38H and 72 thereof could be of the telescoping type 38Lso as to be carried by the upper electrode 21H and not project throughrespective opening means thereof but merely being contained within theelectrode 21H itself to be expanded from the side 24H thereof in anuntelescoping manner and creating not only the electric field with theelectrodes 21H and 22, but also creating the electric field 80therebetween.

It is to be understood that the projections 38L has cooperating inwardlyand outwardly directed annular flanges on adjacent ends of the sections93L thereof to permit the telescoping relation thereof and to preventthe sections 93L from coming apart when the projection 38L is fullyextended, such flange structure being fully illustrated in FIG. 22 andbeing well known in the telescoping art.

As previously stated, any of the previously described embodiments of theapparatus and method of this invention can comprise a continuousdewatering arrangement wherein the electrodes can comprise movablemembers having portions thereof disposed adjacent each other so as toreceive the liquid bearing material therebetween, such as movableendless belt means for continuously dewatering the liquid bearingmaterial disposed therebetween and wherein either the upper belt meansand/or the lower belt means can be provided with projections that wouldextend therefrom into the material being disposed therebetween toenhance the dewatering thereof in any of the manners previously setforth.

For example, one such apparatus and method of this invention isgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 20M in FIGS. 23-26 andparts thereof similar to the apparatus and methods 20-20L previouslydescribed will be indicated by like reference numerals followed by thereference letter "M".

Referring now to FIGS. 23-26, the apparatus and method 20M of thisinvention has the metallic electrode 21M formed into a continuous orendless belt means that is adapted to be driven by suitable drive rollermeans 100 located at the opposed side edges of the belt means 21M anddriving the same in its continuous looped path by any suitableinterconnecting driving arrangement, such as by having the rollers 100provided with pinion gears on the outer periphery thereof and meshingwith suitable rack-like openings on the respective side edges of thebelt means 21M to positively drive the belt means 21M in a continuousmanner so that a lower run or portion 101 of the belt means 21M willcontinuously move from left to right in FIG. 23.

Similarly, the lower metallic electrode 22M is formed as a continuous orendless belt means that is trained around suitable drive roller means102 located at the opposed side thereof and being disposed in drivingrelation with the belt means 22M so as to continuously move an upper runor portion 103 thereof in substantially a horizontal manner from leftright in FIG. 23 so as to cooperate with the lower run 101 of the upperelectrode means 21M to define a chamber 104 therebetween that is adaptedto receive the liquid bearing material 23M therein, the material 23Mbeing adapted to flow between the belt runs 101 and 103 at an entranceor inlet end 105 of the apparatus 20M and be discharged at an exit oroutlet end 106 of the apparatus 20M as illustrated in FIG. 23.

The apparatus 20M will perform an electro-dewatering operation on thematerial 23M as the same passes from left to right through the apparatus20M so that the material 20M exiting from the outlet end 106 of theapparatus 20M is in a drier condition than the material 23M that entersthe inlet end 105 thereof as will be apparent hereinafter.

Another metallic belt means 107 is provided for the apparatus 20M andthe same is disposed in an endless or looped manner inside the loopedbelt means 21M about drive rollers 108 which are located at the opposedside edges of the belt 107 and are disposed in driving relationtherewith so as to drive the belt means 107 in such a manner that thelower run 109 thereof moves in spaced relation to the run 101 of thebelt means and from left to right in FIG. 23 as will be apparenthereinafter.

While the drive rollers 100, 102 and 108 are illustrated in FIG. 23 asbeing only at one side edge of the belts 21M, 22M and 107, it is to beunderstood that there will be a like set of rollers 100, 102 and 108 atthe other side edge thereof.

The apparatus 20M has a plurality of transversely disposed supportrollers 110 arranged in the pattern illustrated in FIG. 23 to supportthe lower belt means 22M in its looped travel as well as to permit thematerial 23M to be compressed between the runs 101 and 103 of the belts21M and 22M in a manner well known in the art. Similarly, a plurality oftransversely disposed support rollers 111 are provided for the apparatus20M to support the looped travel of the inner belt means 107 (as well asthe outer belt means 21M as will be apparent hereinafter) with the lowersupport rollers 111 being particularly adapted to accomplish thecompressing action on the material 23M between the runs 101 and 103 ofthe belts 20M and 22M in a manner well known in the art as the driverollers 100 and 108 as well as the support rollers 111 can be caused tomove toward the lower belt means 22M to compensate for the liquid beingremoved from the material 23M as the material 23M moves from left toright through the apparatus 23 all in a manner well known in the art.

For example, such means is fully set forth in the aforementioned CandorU.S. Pat. No. 4,236,317 and the aforementioned Moeglich U.S. Pat. No.4,244,804, as well as in the Pepping U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,400, theFremont et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,874 and the Kunkle et al, U.S. Pat.No. 4,680,104 whereby these last three U.S. patents are also beingincorporated into this disclosure by this reference there to.

The outer electrode belt means 21M carries a plurality of projectionunits of this invention that are each generally indicated by thereference numeral 112 and each unit 112 comprises a cylindrical metallicprojection 38M and a tubular metallic housing means 113 with the tubularhousing means 113 having a stepped end 114 disposed in a cooperatingopening 115 formed through the be it means 21M so that the stepped end114 can be secured therein, such as by welding, and have an annularshoulder 116 abutting against the surface 42M of the belt means 21M asillustrated in FIGS. 24-26 so that a surface 117 of the tubular housing113 that fully projects through the opening 1115 is disposedsubstantially flush with tile surface 24M of the electrode 21M asillustrated in FIG. 24.

The cylindrical projection 38M of each unit 112 has its flat end surface 45M adapted to be disposed flush with the housing end surface 117and the surface 24M of the electrode 21M when the projection 38M is heldin its fully up position as illustrated in FIG. 24 by a suitablecompression spring 118 having one end 119 bearing against the surface42M of the electrode 21M and its other end 120 bearing against a surface121 of a metallic disc-like member 122 fastened to the other end 123 ofthe projection 38M as illustrated.

In order to limit the amount of upper movement of the projection 38M ofeach unit 112 relative to its housing 113, the projection 38M can have across pin 124 that extends through a side slot 125 in its respectivehousing means 113 and having opposed ends 126 and 127 which respectivelylimit the upper movement of the projection 38M as illustrated in FIG. 24by the pin 124 reaching the end 126 of the slot 125 and limiting thedegree of projection of the projection 38M beyond the surface 24M of theelectrode 21M in the manner illustrated in FIG. 26 by the cross pin 124bottoming out against the end 127 of the slot 125 as illustrated. Ofcourse, it is to be understood that the amount of projection of theprojection 38M below the surface 24M of the electrode 21M could belimited the surface 121 of the disc-like member 122 of the projection38M bottoming out against the upper surface 128 of the respectivehousing means 113 before the pin 124 hits the bottom 127 of the slot 125as the case may be.

In any event, each projection unit 112 has an upper cam surface 129 onthe disc-like member 122 which will bear against the outside surface 130of the inner belt 107 that is not secured thereto so that a differentialmovement between the belts 107 and 21M can be provided even though theinner belt 107 tends to control the degree of projection of theprojections 38M into the material 23M as the particular projection unit112 moves from left to right in FIG. 23 at tile lower run 101 of theelectrode belt 21M as will be apparent hereinafter.

The belts 21M and 22M can be oppositely charged as previously describedand the projections 38M will be given the same charge as the belt 21M asthe housings 113 are conductive. However, the housing 113 could be madeof insulating material and the springs 118 could be insulated so thatthe projections 38M can be given a charge different than the charge onthe belt 21M, if desired. For example, see such an arrangement in FIG.29 which will be hereinafter described.

The belt 21M can carry the projection units 112 in any suitable patternthereon and in any suitable spacing therebetween with the units 112being arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse rows or in staggeredlongitudinal rows and staggered transverse rows as desired. For example,see FIG. 8 of the aforementioned to Candor, U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,317,wherein projections on an electrode sheet are arranged in bothtransverse and longitudinal directions to provide a desired patternthereof.

In any event, it can be seen that the apparatus 20M of this inventioncan be formed from relatively simple parts to operate in a manner now tobe described.

As the belt means 21M and 22M, as well as the inner belt 107, are beingdriven by their respective drive rollers 100, 102 and 108 so that theruns 101, 103 and 109 move from left to right in FIG. 23, the material23M being continuously fed into the chamber 104 at the inlet end 105 ofthe apparatus 20M is moved from left to right to be discharged at theoutlet end 106 with the liquid thereof having been removed not only bythe electrostatic field 28M created between the electrodes 21M and 22Min the manner previously set forth, but also by the projections 38M eachmoving from the inlet end 105 to the outlet end 106 and beingprogressively projected into the material 23M to create the nonuniformfields 46M as illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26 and as previously setforth, the support rollers 110 and 111 being so controlled in thespacing therebetween in the apparatus 20M that each projection unit 112has its projection 38M in its fully up position as illustrated in FIG.24 adjacent the inlet end 105 of the apparatus 20M and then being atfully inserted position into the material 23M as illustrated in FIG. 26at the outlet end 106 of the apparatus 20M.

In this manner, it can be seen that the spacing between the supportrollers 110 and 111 at the entrance end 105 of apparatus 20M arearranged to be approximately the distance A from each other asillustrated in FIG. 26 and by the time that particular projection unit112 is at the position 26--26 of FIG. 23, the support rollers 110 and111 at the position 26--26 are disposed at the distance B from eachother. Likewise, the compression springs 118 of the units 112 therebytend to provide a compressive force on the material 23M between the runs101 and 103 as the liquid of the material 23M is being removed therefromas is evidenced by the runs 101 and 103 at the entrance end 105 of theapparatus 20M being disposed initially at the spacing C of FIG. 26 andending up with the spacing D at the time the particular projection unit112 is at the position 26--26 of FIG. 23.

Therefore, it can be seen that by computer controlling the up and downmovement of the right-hand end of the upper belt means 21M and 107 ofthe apparatus 20M, the degree of projection of the projections 38M intothe material 23M as the projections 38M progress from left to rightthrough the apparatus 23 can be controlled as well as the degree ofcompression of the material 23 between the belts 21M and 22M as desired.

In any event, it can be seen that the apparatus 20M will dewater thematerial 23M through the action of the electro-static field createdbetween the electrodes 21M and 22M as well as by the electrostaticfields being created by the projections 38M all for the same reasons asset forth with regard to the embodiment 20 of applicant's invention aspreviously set forth.

Of course, it is to be understood that during the movement of theprojection units 112 from left to right in FIG. 23, the material 23Mbeing acted upon by the particular projection unit 112 can be sonicallyor ultrasonically vibrated to enhance the dewatering operation aspreviously set forth. For example, the support rollers 111 and/orsupport rollers 110 could be sonically or untrasonically vibrated totransmit the vibratory energy to the material 23M disposed between theelectrode belts 21M and 22M for the reasons previously set forth inregard to the vibrating units 47, 49 and 48 of FIG. 1.

While the runs 101 and 10 3 of the belts 21M and 22M can be driven atthe same speed, the belts 21M and 22M can have the runs 101 and 103driven at different speeds so that not only will such differentialmovement cause a turbulence to the material 23M as it moves from left toright in FIG. 23, but also the projections 38M will cause a rakingaction on the material 23M as the material 23M is passed from left toright through the apparatus.

Also, while the runs 101 and 103 of the belts 21M and 22M areillustrated as being in direct electrical contact with the material 23Mso that an electrical current can flow through the material 23, it is tobe understood that one or both of the belts 21M and 22M and/or theprojections 23M can be insulated from the material 23M, if desired.

Therefore, it can be seen that any of the electrode embodiments ofapplicant's invention that are generally indicated by the referencenumerals 20-20L could be utilized to form a continuous dewateringarrangement such as illustrated in FIGS. 23-26.

For example, as previously stated, tile projections 38M can be given apotential or charge different than the potential or charge of the belt21M by forming the housings 113 of electrically insulating material andelectrically insulating the springs 118 as illustrated in FIG. 29. Thus,the belt 107 can be given the desired different potential or charge tothe projections 38M in the run 101 of the belt 21M as the heads 122thereof are in good electrical contact with the run 109 of the belt 107under the compressive force of the springs 118 whereby the apparatus 20Mwill dewater in the same manner as the apparatus 20B as previouslydescribed.

Another apparatus and method of this invention is generally indicated bythe reference numeral 20N and parts thereof similar to the apparatus andmethods 20-20M previously described are indicated by like referencenumerals followed by the reference letter "N".

As illustrated in FIG. 27, the apparatus and method 20N is substantiallythe same as the apparatus and method 20M previously described exceptthat in the apparatus 20N, the drive roll means 100N for the upperelectrode means or endless belt 21N is disposed further to the right asufficient distance from the drive roller means 108N for the inner beltmeans 107N so that the projections 38N will be fully retracted intotheir respective housing means 113N before the respective projectionunits 112N reach the roller means 100N so that a suitable scraper 140can have its end 141 effectively clean the surface 24N of the electrodebelt means 21N to remove any of the material 23N that remains againstthe same after the material 23N moves beyond the outlet means 106N asillustrated in FIG. 27. In addition, suitable rotatable cleaning brushmeans 142 can be disposed adjacent the belt means 21N while the same ison the drive roller means 100N to have the bristle-like portions 143thereof readily scrape any material from the surface 24N of theelectrode belt means 21N as the same moves past the rotating rollers142. Also, a suitable nozzle means 144 can be provided to direct acleaning fluid 145 onto the surface 24N of the electrode belt means 21Nto assist in the action of the brush means 142 thereon to clean the samefrom any residual material 23N that might remain thereon beyond thecleaning action of the scraper 140.

Similarly, the outer surface means 25N of the lower electrode belt means22N could be cleaned of any of the material 23N that remains on the sameby a suitable scraper 146, rotating brush means 147 and liquiddispensing nozzle means 148 as illustrated in being utilized in themanner previously described.

Therefore, it can be seen that the apparatus 20N of FIG. 27 operates inthe same manner as the apparatus 20M previously described whereby afurther discussion of the operation of the apparatus and method 20N isdeemed unnecessary except to state that it can be seen that theapparatus 20N has means for cleaning the respective surfaces 24N and 25Nof the electrode belt means 21N and 22N after the material 23N hasreached the outlet means 106N as illustrated as the projection units112N have the projections 38N thereof fully retracted so that thescraper 140 and brushes 142 can act on the surface means 24N of theelectrode means 21N.

While the apparatus 20M and 20N previously described have the electrodemeans 21M and 21N thereof respectively arranged so that the same voltagedifferential is provided with its cooperating electrode means 22M and22N from the respective inlet means 105 to the respective outlet means106 thereof, it is to be understood that the electrode belts 21M and 21Ncould be so constructed and arranged that the same would permit partsthereof to provide an increasing voltage differential with its adjacentportion of the lower electrode belt means 22M and 22N as that part ofthe upper electrode belt 21M and 21N moves from the inlet means 105 tothe outlet means 106 so that the resulting intensity of theelectrostatic field being created by the particular voltage gradientwill be increased to provide a greater dewatering action as that part ofthe electrode means 21M or 21N moves toward the outlet means 106 of theapparatus than at the inlet means 105 thereof for the reasons previouslyset forth in connection with the apparatus and method 20 previouslydescribed.

In particular, such an apparatus and method of this invention isgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 20P in FIG. 28 and partsthereof similar to the apparatus and methods 20-20N previously describedare indicated by like reference numerals followed by the referenceletter "P".

As illustrated in FIG. 28, the apparatus and method 20P is substantiallythe same as the method and apparatus 20M and 20N previously set forthexcept that the electrode belt means 21P is formed from a plurality ofconductive sections 150 that are electrically insulated from each otherby suitable insulating means 151 so that the sections 150 are eachadapted to move in a serial manner from the inlet means 105P to theoutlet means 106P and cooperate with an adjacent portion of the lowerelectrode belt 22P to define its electrostatic field means 28P therewithfor acting on its respective portion of the liquid bearing material 23Pdisposed therebetween whereby the intensity of such electrostatic fieldmeans 28P can be different than the intensity of an adjacentelectrostatic field means 28P as the adjacent section 150 can have thevoltage differential that is created between that section 150 and itsadjacent portion of the lower electrode means 22P of a greater valuethan the voltage differential between the next left hand section 150 andits adjacent portion of the lower electrode 22P.

This can be accomplished by also forming the inner belt means 107P froma plurality of like conductive sections 152 being electrically insulatedfrom each other by suitable insulating means 153 and imposing a chargethereon by a particular roller 111P having such charge imposed thereonby a charge means or wiper means 154 receiving its charge from a leadmeans so that the particular section 152 transfers its charge value tothe particular heads 122P of the particular projection means or units112P disposed in electrical contact therewith and in electrical contactwith its respective section 150 of the electrode belt 21P so that therespective section 150 is given such charge.

In this manner, a suitable computerized charging means (not shown) thatis interconnected to the lead means 155 the rollers 111p could be soprogrammed that the same will provide a certain voltage differentialbetween the section 150' and the adjacent portion of the lower electrodemeans 22P of, say, 100 volts (even though the section 150' and theelectrode belt 22P are disposed in electrical contact with the material23P disposed therebetween for the reasons previously set forth) and thenwhen that particular section 150' has moved to the right in FIG. 28 soas to be under the influence of the next adjacent upper roller means111P", the next roller means 111P" will create a voltage differentialwith the lower electrode belt means 22P that is, say, 150 volts witheach roller 111P thereafter from left to right in FIG. 28 increasing thevoltage on that section 150' as the same moves further to the right sothat by the time the section 150' reaches the outlet means 106P, thesection 150' might create a voltage differential with the lowerelectrode means 22P of several hundred volts or even several thousandvolts as the case may be. Similarly, the projections 38P of each section150 likewise will have the voltage being created between the projectionmeans 38P thereof and the electrode means 22P increased by theparticular roller means 111P being effective to charge the same.

Thus, it is believed that by having the computer means sensing, withsuitable sensors (not shown), the amount of dewatering that is takingplace on each part of the material 23P as the same progresses from theinlet means 105P to the outlet means 106P, the computer means cancontrol the amount of voltage gradient being applied thereto as the sameprogresses from the inlet means 105P to the outlet means 106P andthereby control the intensity of the electrostatic field means actingthereon as the particular section of the material 23P moves from theinlet means 105P to the outlet means 106P and such voltage gradient canbe increased in uniform steps or varying steps as desired.

Likewise, while the upper rollers 111P and lower rollers 110P can besonically and ultrasonically vibrated to impart vibration to thematerial 23P disposed therebetween for the reasons previously set forth,the intensity of the vibrations can vary by having the sonic orultrasonic energy being applied to the particular rollers 111P and/or110P varied from the inlet means 105P to the outlet means 106P in thesame manner that the wipers 154 are providing a different chargeintensity to the various rollers 111P for the reasons previously setforth.

Should the housings 113P of the units 112P each electrically insulateits particular projection means 38P from its respective section 150 ofthe electrode belt means 22P in the manner illustrated in FIG. 29, thesection 150 thereof can be given a charge by a charging roller means 156through its lead means 157 that will be different than the charge thatwill be given to the projection 38P thereof for all of the reasonspreviously set forth in having the projections electrically insulatedfrom the electrode carrying the same so that a potential differentialcan be given between the projection 38P and its respective section 150as illustrated in FIG. 29.

And while the sections 150 of the electrode means 21P have beenillustrated as having at least one projection unit 112P carried thereby,it is to be understood that the electrode belt 21P could be providedwithout any of the projection units 112P so that the rollers 111P woulddirectly engage against the sections 150 in the manner illustrated inFIG. 30 wherein another method and apparatus of this invention isgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 20Q and parts thereofsimilar to the method and apparatus previously described are indicatedby like reference numerals followed by the reference letter "Q".

As illustrated in FIG. 30, it can be seen that the upper electrode belt21Q is formed of a plurality of sections 150Q electrically insulatedfrom each other by the insulating means 151Q and respectively have therollers 111Q disposed electrical contact therewith so that theparticular roller 11Q having the charge applied thereto by its wipermeans 154Q through the lead means 155Q thereof will create a voltagedifferential between that respective section 150Q and the adjacentportion of the lower electrode belt means 22Q to have its electrostaticfield act on the material 23Q disposed therebetween with a certainintensity that will be different than the intensity of the electrostaticfield between another section 150Q for the reasons previously set forthin connection with the method and apparatus of FIG. 28.

Therefore, it can be seen that the apparatus and methods 20P and 20Q ofthis invention each can vary the voltage between a particular section150 or 1500 of its respective upper electrode belt 21P or 21Q and thelower belt means 22P or 22Q as that particular section 150 or 150Q movesfrom the inlet means to the outlet means of the apparatus and thatvarying voltage could be in steps of any desired magnitude of voltagecharge or in substantially an infinitely variable manner such as byhaving the particular roller 111P infinitely increasing its charge froma starting value to an ending value to a particular section 150 from thetime its leading edge 158 makes contact with the roller 111P to the timeits trailing edge 159 is engaging that particular roller 111P with theroller 111P then dropping its charge back to its starting value when itis engaged by the leading edge 158 of the next section 150 being movedthereto.

Of course, it is to be understood that instead of increasing the voltageas a particular section 150 or 150Q moves from the inlet means to theoutlet means, the same can actually have the voltage therein decreasedor any combination of increasing or decreasing manner as the same couldall be computer controlled with the computer itself applying theparticular charge on the particular roller means 111P or 111Q asdetermined by many parameters being sensed by the computer or havingbeen preprogrammed all in a manner well known in the computer art.

Also, it is believed that such computer means can arranged to reduce thehigh charge value of each section 150 (or 150Q) as it leaves the outletmeans 106 to a lower value that is sufficient for the charge value ofthe section 150 when it is returned to its beginning dewatering positionat the inlet means 105, the charge taken from such section 150 at theoutlet means 106 being used by the computer means to add to the chargeon the sections 150 intermediate the inlet means 105 and the outletmeans 106 so that no charge is wasted by the method and apparatus ofthis invention. Thus, the charge being provided on each section 150 asit starts at the inlet means 105 can cause a voltage differential withthe cooperating portion of the electrode means 22P of any desiredstarting voltage, such as 50 volts, and by the time that section 150reaches the outlet means 106 the charge being provided thereon can causea voltage differential with the cooperating portion of the electrodemeans 22P of any desired ending voltage, such as 1,000 volts, suchindicated values being given merely for example purpose and not to be alimitation on this invention as each different type and degree ofdryness of the liquid bearing material 23P being acted upon will havedifferent voltage requirements, as desired.

Also, it is believed that as a section 150 or 1500 of the respectivebelt means 21P or 210 moves from the inlet to the outlet of therespective apparatus 20P or 20Q, the initial charge thereon can bechanged to an increasing charge, a decreasing charge, a pulsing chargeor an oscillating charge and then be again changed to any of suchcharges as desired so that by the time that particular section 150 or150Q reaches the outlet the charge thereon could have been changed oneor more times, such as first having a steady charge, then an oscillatingcharge for dielectrically heating the material adjacent thereto, then toa pulsing charge, then to a higher steady charge, etc. And all of thischanging of the charge on that section 150 or 1500 could be computercontrolled as previously set forth.

Thus, by merely grounding the lower belt means 22P or 22Q and changingthe charge on the sections 150 and 150Q of the upper belt means 21P and21Q any desired combinations of electrostatic actions for acting on thematerial 23P or 23Q can be provided for the apparatus 20P and 20Q.

Further, it is believed that since an electrical current tends to flowthrough a path that has the least resistance between two members then itmay be found that in an apparatus of the type where the upper electrodeportion at the inlet means of the apparatus is electricallyinterconnected to the upper electrode portion at the outlet of theapparatus, such as provided by the belt means 21M, more electricalcurrent flows between the upper and lower electrode portions at theinlet means than at the outlet means because the resistance to thecurrent flow through the liquid bearing material disposed therebetweenincreases as the liquid in such material is removed from the material asit moves from the inlet to the outlet. However, it is believed that byproviding the sections 150 and 150Q which are each electricallyinsulated from the other sections 150 and 150Q, the current flow throughthe material at each section 150 and 1500 as it moves from the inletmeans to the outlet means of the apparatus can be accurately controlledor maintained by merely increasing or changing the voltage differentialbetween that section 150 or 150Q and the lower electrode means 22P or22Q in the manner previously set forth.

While the apparatus and methods 20M, 20N, 20P and 20Q each compriseendless belt means, it is to be understood that at least one of the beltmeans thereof could comprise the outer periphery of a roll or drum, suchas the roll or drum of the aforementioned to Candor, U.S. Pat. No.3,931,682, and have the individual conductive sections, similar tosections 150 and 150Q of the apparatus and methods 20P and 20Q, for thepurpose previously set forth whereby the endless electrode means of thisinvention are not to be limited to just the belt means previouslyillustrated and described. For example, see FIGS. 31 and 32 wherein suchstructure is provided and will hereinafter be described.

Further, while the sections 150 and 1500 of the apparatus 20P and 20Qare illustrated as being in direct electrical contact with the material23P and 23Q so that an electrical current can flow through the material23P and 23Q, it is to be understood that the sections 150 and 150Q canbe electrically insulated from the material 22P and 22Q, if desired,while the cooperating electrode means 22P and 22Q remains uninsulatedand in electrical contact with the liquid bearing material 23P and 23Qor are also electrically insulated from the material 23P and 23Q, asdesired.

Also, it is to be understood that the electrode means 21P and 22P, aswell as the electrode means 21Q and 22Q, can be moved in the samedirection but at different speeds, if desired.

While no means have been illustrated in the drawings of the apparatus20M, 20N, 20P and 20Q for receiving the liquid that is forced throughthe openings in the lower belt means 22M, 22N, 22P and 22Q thereof, itis to be understood that suitable liquid collecting means can beprovided within the confines of the lower looped belt means 22M, 22N,22P and 22Q for collecting such liquid, such as is set forth in theaforementioned to Muralidhara et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,964, and suchliquid collecting means can apply a suction to aid in such liquidremoval as previously set forth in connection with the device 34 of FIG.1.

While the various apparatus and methods of this invention have beenpreviously described as stating that as the projection thereof, such asprojection 38, is moved closer toward the other electrode means, such aselectrode 22 for the projection 38, the voltage between such projectionand such electrode can be increased to enhance the dewateringelectroosmotic action as the intensity of the electrostatic fieldcreated thereby is increased, it is to be realized that as a particularprojection, such as projection 38, is moved toward its cooperatingelectrode means, such as electrode means 22, and merely maintaining thesame voltage between such projection and such electrode causes theelectrostatic field created therebetween to intensify because the closerthe projection comes to the cooperating electrode, the stronger theelectrostatic field is therebetween even though the voltage differentialremains steady therebetween.

Thus, when the main electrodes of each apparatus of this invention, suchas electrodes 21 and 22, are respectively moved closer toward each otherthrough the dewatering and/or compressing action previously set forth,the strength of the electrostatic field therebetween acting on theremaining liquid in the liquid bearing material disposed therebetweenintensifies. Likewise, the projecting of the projection of such upperelectrode into such remaining liquid bearing material causes the fieldthat it creates with the lower electrode to intensify the closer thatprojection gets to the lower electrode even if the voltage between thatprojection and that lower electrode remains the same. Therefore,increasing the voltage under either or both such circumstances furtherintensifies the created electrostatic field means for enhancing thedewatering action thereof.

While the liquid bearing material 23P or 23Q is being moved through theapparatus 20P or 20Q by the movement of the upper electrode 21P or 21Qand lower electrode 22P or 22Q, it is to be understood that the liquidbearing material 23P or 23Q can be moved by other means, such as beltmeans disposed between the electrode means with the electrode meanseither being movable therewith or being stationary as desired. Also, theliquid bearing material can be moved by a screw, such as in a screwpress, while the outer cylindrical electrode means that is stationarycould be in sections that are electrically insulated from each other soas to have the charges thereon different from the outer sections thereoffor the reasons previously set forth in connection with the apparatus20P and 20Q, the screw having the screw thread thereof formed ofelectrically insulating material while the shaft thereof is formed ofelectrically conductive material and is grounded or oppositely chargedfrom the section of the cylindrical member. For example, see FIG. 33wherein such structure of this invention is illustrated and will behereinafter described.

Another method and apparatus of this invention is generally indicated bythe reference numeral 20R in FIG. 31 and parts thereof similar to themethods and apparatus 20P or 20Q previously described are indicated bylike reference numerals followed by the reference letter "R", theapparatus 20R being similar to the apparatus set forth in theaforementioned European patent application No. 0,286,714.

As illustrated in FIG. 31, the apparatus 20R comprises a rotatable drum200 formed of any suitable electrically insulating material, such asceramic material, and carrying a first electrode means 21R on the outerperiphery 201 thereof, the first electrode means 21R comprising aplurality of conductive arcuate sections or plates 150R that arefastened thereto in any suitable manner and are electrically insulatedfrom each other by being spaced from each other at adjacent end edgemeans 202 and 203 thereof. In addition, electrical insulation means 204are respectively disposed between the adjacent end edge means 202 and203 of adjacent sections 150R and have outer peripheral means 205 thatare arcuate and disposed substantially flush with the arcuate peripheralsurface means 24R of the adjacent sections 150R as illustrated. However,it is to be understood that the insulation means 204 can project beyondthe peripheral means 24R in the manner illustrated in FIG. 32 for apurpose hereinafter described.

The apparatus 20R comprises a second electrode means 22R that is adaptedto have its peripheral surface means 25R spaced outwardly in a generallyconcentric manner from the facing peripheral surface means 24R of theelectrode means 21R by the liquid bearing material 23R that is fed intothe inlet means 105R in any suitable manner, the electrode means 22Rcomprising a flexible endless belt means having suitable openings 26Rtherethrough for permitting the liquid of the liquid bearing material23R to pass there through during the electro-dewatering thereof causedby the electrostatic fields 28R in the manner previously described.

The apparatus 20R comprises a plurality of rollers 110R that engage theouter peripheral surface means 206 of the electrode means 22R to notonly tend to compress the electrode means 22R toward the electrode means21R to compress the liquid bearing material 23R therebetween, but toalso vibrate the electrode means 22R and, thus, the material 23R for thereasons previously set forth by having the rollers 110 vibratedsonically or ultrasonically as previously set forth.

If desired, porous belts 207 and 208 of any suitable nonconductivematerial can be disposed respectively against the peripheral surfacemeans 24R and 25R of the electrode means 21R and 22R so as to confinethe liquid bearing material 23R therebetween while still effectivelyhaving the liquid bearing material 23R disposed in electrical contactwith the electrode means 21R and 22R, the belts 207 and 208 respectivelymoving in unison with the electrode means 21R and 22R from the inletmeans 105R to the outlet means 106R of the apparatus 20R.

A computer controlled means 210 is electrically connected to eachsection 150R by suitable lead means 211 so that the computer controlledmeans 210 can vary the voltage differential between a particular section150R and its cooperating part of the grounded electrode means 22R asthat particular section 150R moves from the inlet means 105R to theoutlet means 106R for the same purpose as the sections 150 and 150Q ofthe apparatus 20P and 20Q.

Thus, it can be seen that the resulting electrostatic fields 28R of theapparatus 20R can have the intensities thereof changed as each field 28Rmoves from the inlet means 105R to the outlet means 106R with itsrespective section of the liquid bearing material 23R.

Of course, as previously stated or as hereinafter stated, each roller110R could provide its vibrational energy at an energy level differentthan another adjacent roller 110R in the same manner that a differentvoltage potential is being provided by each section 150R relative to thenext adjacent section 150R all for the reasons previously set forth.

In addition, each roller 110R could compress the electrode belt 22Rtoward the drum 200 with a force different than the compressive forcebeing provided by the next adjacent roller 110R so that each section ofmaterial 23R will be subjected to different compressive forces in aserial manner as that section of material 23R moves from the inlet 105Rto the outlet 106R of the apparatus 20R. For example, each roller 110Rcan have its own ram means for moving the roller 110R toward or awayfrom the drum 200 so as to provide a changing or changed compressiveforce on the liquid bearing material 23R therebetween and suchindividual ram means can be computer controlled for optimum results.

Therefore, it is to be understood that in any appropriate embodiment ofthis invention, whether previously illustrated and described orhereinafter illustrated and described, one or more or all of the forces,such as the electrostatic force, the vibratory force and the compressiveforce, that act on each section of liquid bearing material as thatsection of material passes from the inlet to the outlet of theparticular apparatus can be different at different locations between theinlet and the outlet of the apparatus in the same manner as previouslyset forth for the apparatus and method 20R of this invention so thateach section of liquid bearing material will have different forces beingserially applied thereto to enhance the dewatering thereof as thatsection of liquid bearing material passes through that particularapparatus of this invention.

While the apparatus 20R illustrated in FIG. 31 does not have projectionmeans carried by the sections 150R thereof as in the apparatus 20P, itis to be understood that the apparatus 20R could have such projectionmeans, if desired.

For example, see the method and apparatus 20S illustrated in FIG. 32wherein the parts thereof that are similar to the parts of the apparatus20P, 20Q and 20R previously described are indicated by like referencenumerals followed by the reference letter "S".

As illustrated in FIG. 32, the apparatus 20S does not have the beltmeans 207 of the apparatus 20R and each section 150S of the apparatus20S has at least one projection 38S that is movable relative thereto andis adapted to be projected into the material 23S disposed between theelectrode means 21S and 22S for the reasons previously set forth. Inorder to prevent the projections 38S from reaching the electrode means22S, the insulation 204S between the adjacent sections 150S can projectbeyond the sections 150S so as to contact the electrode means 22S beforethe adjacent projections 38S can reach the same. Of course, the beltmeans 20 8 of the apparatus 20R could be used with the apparatus 20S, ifdesired.

Therefore, it can be seen that in the operation of the apparatus 20P,20Q, 20R and 20S, the charge being maintained on each section 150, 150Q,150R and 150S thereof even though a current flow is being providedthrough the adjacent section of the liquid bearing material 23P, 230,23R and 23S between such section 150, 150Q, 150R and 150S and thecooperating part of the electrode means 22p, 22Q, 22R and 22S to causeliquid to leave the material 23P, 230, 23R and 23S by electro-osmosis,can be changed as that section 150, 1500, 150R and 150S moves from theinlet means to the outlet means of the apparatus and such electrostaticfield action can be augmented or enhanced by vibratory action and/or theprojections 3 8P and 38S for the reasons previously set forth. And suchchanging of the charge on each section 150, 150Q, 150R and 150S canresult in an increasing voltage, a decreasing voltage, a pulsed voltage,an oscillated voltage or any combination thereof, as desired.

While the apparatus 20M-20S previously set forth each comprises a beltpress apparatus, it is to be understood that other types of pressapparatus can utilize the changing voltage feature of this invention,with or without the changing vibratory field action, that has beendescribed in connection with the apparatus and methods 20P-20Spreviously set forth.

In particular, such feature is provided by the method and apparatus ofthis invention that is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20Tin FIG. 33 wherein parts thereof similar to the method and apparatus ofthis invention previously described are indicated by like referencenumerals followed by the reference letter "T".

As illustrated in FIG. 33, it can be seen that the method and apparatus20T comprises a screw press apparatus and method and has an outerconical housing 200T provided with a larger diameter at the inlet means105T thereof than the diameter at the outlet means 106T thereof in themanner of a conventional screw press, the housing member 200T beingformed of any suitable electrically insulating material, such as ceramicmaterial, and carrying on the inner periphery 201T thereof a pluralityof annular conductive plates 150T that form a first electrode means 21Tthat cooperates with an axially disposed grounded shaft or innerelectrode means 22T that is adapted to be rotated in the direction ofthe arrow 212 and that is carrying an electrically insulating screwthread 213 thereon that cooperates with the conically shaped outerelectrode means 21T to move the liquid bearing material 23T from theinlet 10 5T to the outlet 106T while compressing the same between theouter electrode means 21T and the inner electrode means 22T in a mannerwell known for a screw press so that the liquid being expressed from theliquid bearing material 23T by the compressing action will exit throughsuitable openings 214 in the shaft 22T to be removed therefrom outthrough an inner passage 215 of the shaft 22T in a manner well known inthe art.

The previously described computer 210T can be interconnected to theannular sections 150T of the outer electrode means 21T by the lead means211T so as to provide a different voltage potential between each section150T and the inner electrode 21T so that as the material 23T moves fromthe inlet 105T to the outlet 106T, the voltage intensity acting throughthe same will be increased as the computer 2 10T provides an increasedvoltage from one section 150T to the next section 150T for the reasonspreviously set forth. In addition, it can be seen that as the sections150T are getting closer to the shaft 22T the closer the sections 150Tare to the outlet 106T whereby such an arrangement also provides for agreater serial intensity of the electrostatic fields 28T for the reasonspreviously set forth.

If desired, a plurality of vibrating rollers 110T can be disposedagainst the conical housing 200T to impart vibrating action thereto soas to provide vibrating action on the moisture bearing material 23T asthe same moves from the inlet means 105T to the outlet means 106T. Ofcourse, as previously stated, each roller 110T could provide itsvibrational energy at an energy level different than another adjacentroller 110T in the same manner that a different voltage potential isbeing provided by each section 150T relative to the next adjacentsection 150T all for the reasons. Previously set forth.

Thus, it can be seen that the method and apparatus 20T of FIG. 33applies the principles of this invention to a screw press arrangement ina manner believed to enhance the dewatering rate of the screw press forthe reasons previously set forth.

Similarly, the unique features of this invention are being utilized inFIGS. 34 and 35 to enhance a frame plate filter press method andapparatus that is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20U andthe parts thereof similar to the other methods and apparatus of thisinvention are generally indicated by like reference numerals followed bythe reference letter "U".

As illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 35, the apparatus and method 20Ucomprises a plurality of adjacent pairs of stationary frame plates 216(only one pair being illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 35) that are disposedin spaced apart relation and are formed from electrically insulatingmaterial, such as a polymeric material, all in a manner well known inthe art. For example, see the aforementioned article "Electrodes givedewatering a boost" set forth in the No. 2, 1990, issue of Water QualityInternational whereby this article is being incorporated into thisdisclosure by this reference thereto.

Such article shows that it is known to provide a pair of filter cloths217 between the pair of adjacent plates 216 so as to have the liquidbearing material 23U disposed therebetween and then being placed undercompression by having a flexible membrane 218 of one of the plates 216be expanded toward the other plate 216 by fluid pressure being directedinto a chamber 219 between the membrane 218 and its plate 216 in themanner illustrated in FIG. 35 whereby the liquid in the liquid bearingmaterial 23U is forced to the left out through the left-hand filtercloth 217 and through suitable openings 220 in an electrode means 22Ucarried by a wall 221 of the left-hand filter plate 216 as illustratedin FIGS. 34 and 35, the water passing through the openings 220 in theelectrode means 22U being directed downwardly by gravity throughsuitable grooves (not shown) formed in the wall 221 in a manner wellknown in the art.

As also set forth in such article, the membrane 218 carries an electrodemeans 21U therewith and a potential differential is created between theelectrodes 21U and 22U to enhance the dewatering operation at the sametime that the material 23U is being placed under compression by theoutwardly expanding membrane 218.

However, it is believed according to the teachings of this inventionthat if the electrode 21U is formed of a plurality of individualconductive sections 150U and being separated from each other byinsulating material 204U, such sections 150U can be provided withdifferent charges by the computer 210U through the interconnecting leads211U so that the upper sections 150U can provide a different voltagegradient through the material 23U in its cooperation with the otherelectrode 22U than the sections 150U toward the bottom of the apparatus20U. For example, it may be found that the upper sections 150U shouldprovide a greater potential differential at the same time that the lowersections 150U are providing a lower potential differential as it isbelieved that the upper parts of the material 23U will become dryerfaster than the lower parts thereof because of gravity tending to movethe liquid downwardly through the material 23U.

If desired, the other electrode 22U could be formed from a plurality ofsections 150U and having insulating material 204U therebetween so thatthe sections 150U of the other electrode 22U can have different chargesimproved thereon opposite to the charges of the sections 150U of theelectrode means 21U or the section 22U could merely be a single groundedelectrode plate as desired.

In addition, suitable rollers 110U can be provided in an internalchamber 222 of the left-hand filter plate 216 so as to engage againstthe wall 221 and thereby impart vibrational energy into the material 23Uthrough the electrode 22U all in the manner previously set forth tofurther enhance the dewatering operation as desired.

It is believed that it might be advantageous to first operate theapparatus 20U with all of the sections 150U of the electrode means 21Ucreating the same voltage with the cooperating parts of the electrodemeans 22U and then increasing the voltage differential provided by theupper sections 150U so that a greater amount of dewatering will takeplace in the same time period if all of the sections 150U provided thesame voltage differential for that same time period. For example, all ofthe sections 150U can create a voltage of say 50 volts for a certaininitial time period when acting on the liquid bearing material 23U todewater the same and then the lowest section 150U can remain with that50 volts whereas the next adjacent, section 250U is caused to provide 60volts, the next upper adjacent section 150U is caused to provide 70volts, etc., for another certain time period. The voltage provided byeach section 150U could thereafter be further changed, as desired.

Therefore, it can be seen that the method and apparatus 20U of FIGS. 34and 35 provide a frame plate filter press that has the unique means ofthis invention for enhancing the dewatering operation thereof.

As previously stated, in all of the embodiments of this invention, notonly can the electrostatic field arrangement being created between thetwo electrode means have different voltages for different, sections ofthe material being tie-watered thereby, but also different sections ofthe material can have different intensities of the ultrasonic or sonicenergy being applied thereto as desired and it may be found that suchdifferent intensities of the vibrational energy should be in combinationwith the different intensities of the electrostatic field for the mostadvantageous dewatering operation. For example, it may be found that asthe voltage or electrostatic field intensity is increased on aparticular section of liquid bearing material, the vibrational energy orfield intensity should also be increased for optimum liquid removal fromthat section of material. Also, it may be found that the compression onthat section of liquid bearing material should likewise be increased atthe same time.

While the method and apparatus 20R of FIG. 31 has the sonically orultrasonically vibrating rollers 110R engaging against the electrodemeans 22R so as to impart vibrational energy to the material 23R, it isto be understood that the electrode plates 150R could also be sonicallyor ultrasonically vibrated in combination with the vibrating electrodemeans 22R or in lieu thereof to also impart vibrational energy into thematerial 23R to enhance the electrodewatering thereof for the reasonspreviously set forth, if desired. And the intensity of the vibrations ofeach such electrode plates 150R can be changed in the same manner thatthe voltage is being changed as each plate 150R moves from the inletmeans 105R to the outlet means 106R.

For example, one such method and apparatus of this invention isgenerally indicated by the reference numeral in FIGS. 36 and 37 and theparts thereof that are similar to the parts of the methods and apparatus20-20N and 20P-20U previously described will be indicated by likereference numerals followed by the reference letter "V".

As illustrated in FIG. 36, the method and apparatus 20V is similar tothe method and apparatus 20R previously described except that theelectrode plates 150V each has a plurality of sonic or ultrasonictransducers 230 sectored in rows thereof from one side thereof to theother guide thereof in substantially the same manner that a plurality ofsonic ultrasonic transducers are secured to one side of a curved platein the aforementioned PCT patent application, No. WO 91/03309 wherebythis published PCT patent application is being incorporated into thisdisclosure by this reference thereto.

Of course, the devices 230 could be arranged in any desired pattern oneach electrode plate 150V, as desired.

The method and apparatus 20V has the previously described means 210V forcreating the respective electrostatic field 28V for each electrode plate150V and the cooperating portion of the electrode belt or means 22V andfor changing the intensity of that electrostatic field 28V as thatelectrode plate 150V moves from the inlet means 105V to the outlet means106V for the reasons previously set forth.

In addition, the method and apparatus 20V of this invention has means231 interconnected to the devices 230 of each electrode plate 150V bymeans 232 so as to control the vibrational energy of each plate 150Vindependently of the plates 150V adjacent thereto so that thevibrational energy being imparted by each electrode plate 150V to thesection of the liquid bearing material 23V adjacent thereto can bechanged as that electrode plate 150V moves from the inlet means 105V tothe outlet means 106V at the same time that the voltage between thatelectrode plate 150V and the cooperating portion of the electrode means22V is being changed by the computer means 210V.

And it is to be understood that various areas of each electrode plate150V can be vibrated at different frequencies and/or intensities thanother portions thereof as each means 231 can have means that can controleach device 230 on a particular electrode plate 150V independently ofthe control it has over all of the other devices 230 on that particularelectrode plate 150V.

In any event, it can be seen that the intensity of the vibrationalenergy being applied to each section of the liquid bearing 23V can bechanged in steps or infinitely as that section of material 23V movesfrom the inlet means 105V to the outlet means 106V with its adjacentelectrode plate means 150V. For example, it may be found that byincreasing the vibrational energy as well as simultaneously increasingthe voltage on a particular section of material 23V as it moves from theinlets, means 105V to the outlet means 106V will produce the greatestdewatering rate there from.

The method and apparatus 20V comprises a rotatable drum 200V formed ofany suitable relatively rigid electrical insulating material, such asceramic material, and comprises a pair of annular end frame members 233held in axially aligned relation by elongated frame members 234 disposedin parallel spaced apart relation about the annular members 233 whilebeing secured thereto in any suitable manner as illustrated in FIG. 37

The frame members 234 have opposed slots 235 and 236 along the sidesthereof to respectively receive bent side edge means 237 and 238 of theelectrode plates 150V disposed on each side thereof whereby each plate150V can be slipped into place to be carried by the drum 200V. Ofcourse, suitable means (not shown) can be provided to hold the plates150V in place once the plates 150V have been assembled to the drum 200V.

Thus, it can be seen that each electrode plate 150V is held by its sideedge means 237 and 238 to permit the same to be readily vibrated by thedevices 230 attached to the size 239 thereof and thereby impartvibrational energy by conduction into the material 23V adjacent thereto.However, if the belts 207V and 208V are used in the apparatus 20V in thesame manner as the apparatus 20R, tile belt 207V likewise will transferthe vibrational energy from the plates 150V to the material 23V adjacentthereto by conduction in a manner well known in the art.

Suitable liquid receiving means (not shown) can be utilized with thedrum 200V to receive and then remove the liquid being removed from theliquid bearing material 23V and passing out of the openings 26V of theelectrode belt 22V. For example, the liquid removing means of the aforementioned PCT patent application, No. WO 91/03309, can be used andsuch structure can also be used to additionally apply vibrational energyby conduction through the belts 22V and 208V into the material 23V incombination with the electrode plates 150V of this invention.

Each electrode plate 150V of this invention has the side edge means 237and 238 thereof bent in the L-shape thereof so that the outer surface240 of the intermediate portion 24 thereof will be substantially flushwith the top surfaces 242 of the adjacent frame members 234 that receivethe side edge means 237 and 238 thereof, the intermediate portion 241either being arcuate or curved, such as in the same manner that thevibratory plate in the aforementioned PCT patent application, No. WO91/03309, is bent into a curved shape, or being flat between the sideedge means 237 and 238, as desired, so that the transducers 230 can beeffectively secured to the side 239 thereof. Of course, the top surfaces242 of the frame members 234 can be likewise flat or curved, as desired.

In any event, it can be seen that the resulting outer peripheral surfaceof the drum 200V is generally circular in cross section and the areasbetween the frame members 234 and the electrode plates 150V will becovered by the porous belt 107V.

As illustrated in FIG. 37, the drum can be rotatably mounted, such as byhaving coaxial central hub portions 243 held in the center of theannular frame members 233 by spoke means 244.

In order to minimize the number of rotary electrical connection meansneeded for the drum 200V of this invention, the units 210V and 231 andtheir respective interconnection means 211V and 232 can be carriedinside the drum 200V so that only the source of electrical power need beelectrically interconnected to the units 210V and 231 by any suitablerotary connection means in a manner well known in the art, such as byhaving a rotary means at one of the hubs 243. Of course, the annularends 233 of the drum 200V and the adjacent end spacings between theadjacent ends of the frame members 234 can be suitably covered toenclose the units 210V and 231 in the drum 200V and seal the same fromany liquid external thereto.

Also, in order to insure the necessary flexure of each plate 150V by theoperation of the devices 230, the end edge means 237 and 238 thereof canbe bent or fluted in an accordion manner in the legs thereof adjacent tothe main body surface 240 thereof. And each electrode plate 150V can beformed of any suitable electrical conductive material, such as metallicmaterial. For example, the electrode plates 150V can be formed of themetallic material as set forth in the aforementioned PCT patentapplication WO 91/03309 or as set forth in the aforementioned. Europeanpatent application, No. 0,286,714.

Because the plates 150V are carried by the drum 200V, vibrational energycan be imparted into the liquid bearing material 23V from the point onthe drum 200V where the liquid bearing material is first introducedbetween the electrode belt means 22V and the drum 200V all the way tothe point where the liquid bearing material 23V leaves the drum 200V.Thus, it can be seen that if the belts 22V, 207 and 208V, in effect,wrap 270° or a greater degree of the outer periphery of the drum 200V ina manner similar to such an arrangement in the aforementioned PCT patentapplication, No. WO 91/03309, the vibrational energy can be imparted bythe plates 150V into the liquid bearing material 23V throughout theentire 270° or a greater degree of wrap of the drum 200V. Also, duringthe time each plate 150V moves from the outlet means 106V to the inletmeans 105V of the apparatus 20V, the devices 230 being carried therebydo not need to be operated by the means 231, if desired, nor have tohave a charge imparted thereto by the means 210V, if desired.

While only two interconnection means 211V and 232 are respectivelyillustrated in FIG. 36 for each device 210V and 231, it is to beunderstood that there are more interconnect means 211V in the apparatus20V so as to respectively lead from the device 210V to all of the plates150V and, similarly, that there are more interconnection means 232 inthe apparatus 20V so as to respectively lead from the device 231 to allof the devices 230 that are carried by all of the plates 150V.

In addition, it can be seen that the vibration of one of the electrodeplates 150V by its device means 230 will not influence the vibrations ofany of the other plates 150V because each plate 150V is vibrationallyinsulated from the other plates 150V by the frame members in the samemanner that the frame members 234 electrically insulate each plate 150Vfrom the other plates 150V.

Should it be desired to have projections carried by the plates 150V asprovided by the projections 38S of FIG. 32, such projections can bedisposed between the devices 230 and the belt 207V can be eliminated.

Since the operation of the method and apparatus 20V of this invention issubstantially the same as the method and apparatus 20R previouslydescribed, a further description of the operation of the apparatus 20Vis deemed unnecessary except to state that the electrode plates 150Veach are adapted to serially or simultaneously change the voltage andvibratory effects produced thereby as that plate 150V moves from theinlet means 105V to the outlet means 106V and thereby enhance the liquidremoved from the section of liquid bearing material 23V disposedadjacent thereto and moving therewith from the inlet means 105V to theoutlet means 106V for the reasons previously set forth.

Also, the electrostatic field that is being produced by each electrodeplate 150V could be pulsed at a desired rate at each particular voltagegradient thereof with its cooperating portion of the electrode means 22Vso that the pulsing rate at each different voltage gradient produced bythe electrode plate 150V as it moves from the inlet means 105V to theoutlet means 106V would be the same or different as desired. Likewise orin lieu thereof, the vibrational action being provided by each electrodeplate 150V on the section of liquid bearing material 23V adjacentthereto could be pulsed at any desired rate or changing rate so that fordifferent vibrational intensities, different pulse rates for thosedifferent vibrational intensities could be provided.

It may also be found that when applying vibrational fields to a liquidbearing material that it would be desirable to provide a differentvibrational intensity to the upper portion or to one side of aparticular section of liquid bearing material than the vibrationalintensity being applied to the lower part or to the other side of thatparticular section of liquid bearing material and that as thatparticular section of liquid bearing material is passing from the inletto the outlet of the apparatus, that different vibrational intensitybeing applied to the top portion thereof and/or bottom portion thereofshould be changed.

This feature can be accomplished by having the vibration imparting uniton one side of the liquid bearing material be operated differently thanthe vibrational field imparting unit on the other side of the liquidbearing material with such units being adapted to respectively changethe vibrational intensity being imparted thereby to a particular sectionof liquid bearing material as that section of liquid bearing materialmoves from the inlet of the apparatus to the outlet thereof.

This feature permits the area where the two vibratory fields wouldinitially and theoretically join with each other before overlapping eachother in the cake of liquid bearing material at any one time to bechanged so that such joining area could be moved to be more adjacent oneelectrode means than the other by merely changing the operation of oneor both vibration producing units that are on opposite sides of thesection of cake at that particular location in the dewatering apparatus.And such theoretical joining area of the two vibratory fields could bemoved toward and away from each electrode means at an infinitelyvariable rate or at a stepped rate as desired whereby the totalvibratory energy being utilized could be the same but the distributionof the energy would be changing from more on one side of the cake tomore on the other side of the cake. Of course, the total vibratoryenergy could be increased as the particular section of the cake movesfrom the inlet to the outlet of the apparatus while the distribution ofthat energy on the particular section of cake is changed as that sectionof the cake moves from the inlet to the outlet.

For example, reference is again made to FIG. 28 and while it has beenpreviously stated that the upper rollers 111P and/or the lower rollers110P can have the vibrational energy imparted thereto be different thanthe rollers 111P and 110P adjacent thereto so that the vibrational fieldprovided thereby to each section of the liquid bearing material 23Pchanges as that section of liquid bearing material 23P moves from theinlet means 105P to the outlet means 106P, the lower rollers 110P caneach provide a different vibrational intensity to the liquid bearingmaterial 23P than the vibrational intensity provided to the liquidbearing material 23P by the upper roller 111P opposite thereto so thatoptimum combined upper and lower vibratory actions will be provided onthe particular section of liquid bearing material 23P passingtherebetween. Thus, it may be found that at each location in theapparatus 20P between the inlet means 105P and 106P thereof, the upperpart of the particular section of the liquid bearing material 23P shouldbe vibrated at a different rate or intensity than the lower portionthereof. Therefore, by controlling the vibratory action of each roller111P and 110P independently of the vibratory action of the other rollers111P and 110P with suitable computer means (not shown), it is believedthat a more enhanced liquid removal rate will be provided by theapparatus 20P than if all of the upper rollers 111P and all of the lowerrollers 110P were vibrated at the same rate. Of course, it is to beunderstood that all of the upper rollers 111P could be vibrated at thesame rate while all of the lower rollers 110P could be vibrated at thesame rate that is different than the rate of vibration of the upperrollers 111P or that only certain ones of the upper rollers 111P and/orlower rollers 110P could be vibrated at a different rate than the rateof vibration of all of the other rollers 111P and 110P. It is also to beunderstood that the lower rollers 110P could be located so as to bebetween the upper rollers 111P in much the same manner that the rollersset forth in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the to Candor, U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,302 arearranged whereby this U.S. patent to Candor is being incorporated intothis disclosure by this reference thereto.

And it is to be understood that the different rates of vibratory actionof the upper rollers 111P and/or the lower rollers 110P could be pulsedand such pulsing could be at different rates between the inlet means105P and the outlet means 106P of the apparatus 20P.

While a cooperating means for amplying vibratory action to the cathodeor electrode belt 22V of the apparatus 20V of FIG. 36 is notillustrated, it is to be understood that vibration imparting rollerscould be disposed against the underside of the electrode belt 22V tocooperate with the electrode plates 150V to provide the aforementioneddifferent arrangement of vibratory energy being imparted to the topportion and bottom portion of a particular section of liquid bearingmaterial 23V passing from the inlet means 105V to the outlet means 106Vin the same manner as previously described for the apparatus 20P.

It is believed that by applying such vibrational field action to bothsides of the liquid bearing material as it passes from the inlet of theapparatus to the outlet thereof a thicker cake is permitted to be actedupon and/or a faster movement of the liquid bearing material through theapparatus is permitted than when the vibrational field is applied fromonly one side of the liquid bearing material. Also, less energy may berequired as the vibrational field does not have to penetrate as far aswhen the vibrational field must through the entire thickness of thecake.

Of course, the feature of applying vibrational fields to both sides of aliquid bearing material is well known in the art. For example, see theaforementioned to Candor, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,931,682; 3,999,302 and4,236,317. However, these patents do not provide for the unique featureof having different rates of vibratory action being applied to oppositepoints on the cake of liquid bearing material nor changing suchdifferent rates as the liquid bearing cake proceeds to move through theapparatus as provided by this invention.

While the apparatus and method 20V of FIGS. 36 and 37 have the vibrationimparting devices 230 secured to the anode plates 150V so as to becarried in unison thereby, it is to be understood that vibrationimparting devices can be utilized that impart their vibrational energyto the anode sections without being attached thereto and thereby withoutbeing movable in unison with the anode sections. In addition, whilevibration imparting rollers, such as rollers 110R, are utilized toimpart vibrational energy into the liquid bearing material by conductionthrough the engaged cathode belt 22R, it is to be understood that thevibrational energy being imparted by conduction through the cathode beIt could be coupled thereto with liquid by utilizing the ultrasonicplate means of the aforementioned to Senapati et al, U.S. Pat. No.5,114,560. In addition, it is believed that an ultrasonic plate means ofthis invention can comprise a vibratable unit having a plurality ofvibratable sections thereof disposed in a serial manner respectivelyadjacent at least some of the sections of the liquid bearing materialbetween the inlet means and the outlet means of the apparatus and havemeans generally vibrationally isolating the vibratable sections fromeach other that each vibratable section can provide its own differentvibratory field action to its respective adjacent section of the liquidbearing material in much the same manner that each anode section 150V ofthe apparatus and method 20V imparts its own vibratory field action thatcan be different from the vibratory field actions of the anode sections150V disposed adjacent thereto for the reasons previously set forth.

For example, another apparatus and method of this invention is generallyindicated by the reference numeral 20W in FIGS. 38-40 and parts thereofsimilar to the parts of the other apparatus and methods 20-20N and20P-20V previously described are indicated by like reference numeralsfollowed the reference letter "W".

As illustrated in FIGS. 38-40, the apparatus and method 20W comprises anelectrode means 21W that comprises a plurality of conductive anodesections 150W carried by the insulating drum means 200W in the samemanner as the insulating drum means 200 of the apparatus and method 20Rof FIG. 31 so that each section 150W is electrically insulated andvibrationally insulated from each other, the apparatus and method 20Wincluding nonconductive and liquid permeable belt means 207W and 208Wfor carrying the liquid bearing material 23W therebetween and having aflexible conductive cathode belt 22W for moving in unison therewith asthe drum member 200W is rotated in unison with the moving belts 207W,208W and 22W as previously described for the apparatus and method 20R ofFIG. 31.

However, instead of having the vibration imparting rollers 110R of themethod and apparatus 20R of FIG. 31, a stationary plate means or unit250 is disposed adjacent the cathode belt 22W but is spaced therefrom soas to define a chamber 251 therebetween that is filled with a liquid252, such as the liquid that is being removed from the material 23W in amanner that is fully disclosed in the aforementioned to Senapati et al,U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,560 whereby this U.S. patent is also beingincorporated into this disclosure by this reference thereto and appearsto fully correspond to the aforementioned and previously incorporatedPCT international application WO 91/03309.

However, the vibrational plate means or unit 250 this invention isformed from a plurality of vibratable metallic sections 253 disposed ina serial manner from the inlet means 105W to the outlet means 106W ofthe apparatus 20W and being electrically and vibrationally isolated fromeach other by members 234W that can be constructed in a manner similarto the parts 234 of the apparatus 20V so as to permit ready assembly anddisassembly of the plates 250 thereto and therefrom and also permit theplates 250 to vibrate relative to the stationary members 234W that canbe fixed to any suitable stationary support means so as to hold thevibrational unit plate means 250 in position relative to the drum means200W illustrated. In addition, each section 253 can carry one or morevibration imparting devices 230W in substantially the same manner andfor the same reasons as the devices 230 for the plates 150V of theapparatus 20V previously described.

In this manner, each plate means or section 253 of the unit 250 canimpart its vibrational energy into the section of the material 23W thatis adjacent thereto at any one time through the coupling of the liquid252 with the cathode belt 22W and, thus, through conduction through thebelt 208W into the adjacent section of material 23W as set forth in theaforementioned to Senapati et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,560 except thatthe unit 250 of this invention permits each section 253 of the unit 250to provide a different vibratory field action to its respective adjacentsection of the liquid bearing material 23W for the reasons previouslyset forth for the sections 150V of the drum 200V, each plate 253 beingflat or arcuate as desired.

If it is desired to also provide vibrational energy to the plates 150Wof the anode drum means 200W, a plurality of vibration imparting rollers110W could be mounted in cantilevered fashion within the anode drum 200Wso as to engage against an interior surface 254 of the drum member 200Wso as to impart vibrational energy through the member 200W and theparticular plate 150W being disposed adjacent that particular roller110W at any particular time in the operation of the apparatus 20W and,thus, into the particular section of the liquid bearing material 23Wthat is disposed adjacent the section 150W at that time, FIG. 39schematically illustrating how the rollers 110W can be cantileveredmounted by members 255 projecting through a central opening 256 in oneside of the drum 200W so as to permit the rollers 110W to respectivelyrotate relative to the members 150W while the drum 200W rotates relativethereto.

Thus, it can be seen that the plates 150W of the anode electrode means21W can be utilized not only for providing different electrostatic fieldactions to the adjacent sections of the liquid bearing material 23W forthe reasons previously set forth in regard to the apparatus 20R, butalso the rollers 110W can provide the same or different vibratory fieldactions imparted by those sections 150W into the moisture bearingmaterial 23W for the same reasons as previously described for thesections 150V of the apparatus 20V.

Similarly, the plates or sections 253 of the vibratory unit 250 each canprovide the same or different vibratory field actions being imposed uponthe respective adjacent sections of the liquid bearing material 23Wdepending upon the operation of the particular devices 230Winterconnected thereto for the reasons previously set forth in regardsto the sections 150V of the apparatus 20V except that the sections 253are disposed adjacent the cathode electrode means 22W and are coupledthereto by the liquid 252 as previously described.

If desired, the cathode belt 22W of the apparatus and method 20W of thisinvention can be eliminated and the vibratory unit 250 itself could actas the cathode as the individual plates or sections 253 thereof eachcould have the same or a different negative charge imposed thereon thanthe plates 253 adjacent thereto so as to cooperate with the plates 150Wof the anode electrode 21W to provide the different electrostatic fieldsbeing created therebetween at any one time in the operation of theapparatus 20W for the reasons previously set forth as the members 253are formed of conductive material, such as metallic material as desired.Of course, the sections 253 could merely be grounded and still cooperatewith the plates 150W to provide the different electrostatic fieldactions, as desired. Also, the grounded or differently charged sections253 could be used in combination with the cathode belt 22W that could becharged, grounded or even be electrically isolated so as to "float".

While FIG. 39 schematically illustrates stationary side sealing means257 being carried by the vibratory unit 250 not only to seal the chamber251, but to also seal the right and left sides of the liquid bearingmaterial 23W to the anode drum 200W, it is to be understood that the twobelts 107W and 108W would provide such right and left sealing byextending beyond the liquid bearing material 23W and engage together instacked relation against the anode drum 200W at the right and left sidesthereof and the vibratory unit 250 would have stationary sealing meansengaging against the anode drum 200W all in the same manner as fullydisclosed in FIG. 3 of the aforementioned to Senapati et al, U.S. Pat.No. 5,114, 560. Also, it is to be understood that the anode drum 200Wwould be much wider than as schematically illustrated in FIG. 39.

It is to be understood that while each embodiment of this invention asrepresented respectively by the reference numerals 20-20N and 20P-20Whas been illustrated and described as having certain structure andoperating in a certain manner, each embodiment of this invention can bemodified by including or substituting one or more structural and/oroperational features of any one or more of the other embodiments of thisinvention therein even though such modification has not been actuallydescribed.

It is also to be understood that while the terms "dewater", etc., havebeen previously used throughout this description, it is intended thatthe "liquid" of the liquid bearing material to be removed by the variousapparatus and methods of this invention can be any suitable aqueous ornonaqueous liquid or even mixtures or combinations thereof, if desired.For example, see the various types of liquid bearing material that canbe utilized in the apparatus and methods of this invention and are setforth in the various publications that have been previously incorporatedby reference into this disclosure.

It is also to be understood that the terms "pulsing" a field action,whether that field is an electrostatic field or a vibrating field, isintended to cover a situation where that field is turned completely offand then reapplied in a repeating manner as well as where that field ismerely reduced in intensity and then increased in intensity in arepeating manner, or any combination of such repeating manners.

Therefore, it can be seen that this invention not only provides a newapparatus for removing liquid from liquid bearing material and the like,but also this invention provides a new method for removing liquid fromliquid bearing material or the like as well as a new method of makingsuch an apparatus.

While the forms and methods of this invention now preferred have beenillustrated and described as required by the Patent Statute, it is to beunderstood that other forms and method steps can be utilized and stillfall within the scope of the appended claims wherein each claim setsforth what is believed to be known in each claim prior to this inventionin the portion of each claim that is disposed before the terms "theimprovement" and sets forth what is believed to be new in each claimaccording to this invention in the portion of each claim that isdisposed after the terms "the improvement" whereby it is believed thateach claim sets forth a novel, useful and unobvious invention within thepurview of the Patent Statute.

What is claimed is:
 1. In an apparatus for removing liquid from liquidbearing material and comprising a pair of electrode means havingportions thereof disposed adjacent each other and defining an inletmeans to said adjacent portions and an outlet means from said adjacentportions, means for feeding said liquid bearing material into said inletmeans, means for moving said liquid bearing material from said inletmeans to said outlet means so that sections of said material seriallymove from said inlet means to said outlet means while being disposedbetween said adjacent portions, means for vibrating said liquid bearingmaterial between said adjacent portions of said electrode means as saidmaterial is moving from said inlet means to said outlet means whereby avibratory field arrangement is applied to said material, and means forcreating a voltage between said pair of electrode means so as to createan electrostatic field arrangement between said adjacent portions ofsaid pair of electrode means for acting through said material that isdisposed therebetween to remove liquid from that said material, theimprovement wherein said means for vibrating said liquid bearingmaterial has means for simultaneously providing different vibratoryfield actions to different sections of said material that are seriallydisposed between said inlet means and said outlet means so thatdifferent intensities of said vibratory field arrangement serially acton each said section of said material as each said section of saidmaterial moves from said inlet means to said outlet means, said meansfor vibrating said liquid bearing material comprising a unit having aplurality of vibratable sections thereof disposed in a serial mannerrespectively adjacent at least some of said sections of said materialbetween said inlet means and said outlet means and having meansgenerally vibrationally isolating said vibratable sections from eachother so that each vibratable section can provide its own said differentvibratory field action to its respective adjacent said section of saidmaterial.
 2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said unitcomprises one of said pair of electrode means.
 3. An apparatus as setforth in claim 1 wherein said unit is spaced from one of said pair ofelectrode means and is adapted to be liquid coupled thereto.
 4. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said unit moves in unison withsaid liquid bearing material through said apparatus.
 5. An apparatus asset forth in claim 1 wherein said unit is stationary relative to themovement of said liquid bearing material through said apparatus.
 6. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said unit comprises one ofsaid pair of electrode means and a plurality of vibratable roller meansengaging against said one electrode means, and means for moving saidelectrode means so that said adjacent portions thereof serially move inthe same direction thereof from said inlet means to said outlet meanswhereby said sections of said material serially move with said adjacentportions from said inlet means to said outlet means while being disposedbetween said adjacent portions.
 7. In a method for removing liquid fromliquid bearing material and comprising the steps of providing a pair ofelectrode means having portions thereof disposed adjacent each other anddefining an inlet means to said adjacent portions and an outlet meansfrom said adjacent portions, feeding said liquid bearing material intosaid inlet means, moving said liquid bearing material from said inletmeans to said outlet means so that sections of said material seriallymove from said inlet means to said outlet means while being disposedbetween said adjacent portions, vibrating said liquid bearing materialbetween said adjacent portions of said electrode means as said materialis moving from said inlet means to said outlet means with vibratingmeans whereby a vibratory field arrangement is applied to said material,and creating a voltage between said pair of electrode means so as tocreate an electrostatic field arrangement between said adjacent portionsof said pair of electrode means for acting through said material that isdisposed therebetween to remove liquid from said material, theimprovement wherein the step of vibrating said liquid bearing materialcomprises the step of simultaneously providing different vibratory fieldactions to different sections of said material that are seriallydisposed between said inlet means so that different intensities of saidvibratory field arrangement serially act on each said section of saidmaterial as each said section of said material moves from said inletmeans to said outlet means with said vibrating means comprising a unithaving a plurality of vibratable sections thereof disposed in a serialmanner respectively adjacent at least some of said sections of saidmaterial between said inlet means and said outlet means and having meansgenerally vibrationally isolating said vibratable sections from eachother so that each vibratable section provides its own said differentvibratory field action to its respective adjacent said section of saidmaterial.
 8. A method as set forth in claim 7 and including the step offorming said unit to comprise one of said pair of electrode means.
 9. Amethod as set forth in claim 7 and including the step of liquid couplingsaid unit in spaced relation from one of said pair of electrode means.10. A method as set forth in claim 7 and including the step of movingsaid unit in unison with said liquid bearing material through saidapparatus.
 11. A method as set forth in claim 7 and including the stepof holding said unit stationary relative to the movement of said liquidbearing material through said apparatus.
 12. A method as set forth inclaim 7 and including the steps of forming said unit to comprise one ofsaid pair of electrode means and a plurality of vibrating roller meansengaging against said one electrode means, and moving said electrodemeans so that said adjacent portions thereof serially move in the samedirection thereof from said inlet means to said outlet means wherebysaid sections of said material serially move with said adjacent portionsfrom said inlet means to said outlet means while being disposed betweensaid adjacent portions.
 13. In a method for making an apparatus forremoving liquid from liquid bearing material and comprising the steps offorming a pair of electrode means so as to have portions thereofdisposed adjacent each other and defining an inlet means to saidadjacent portions and an outlet means from said adjacent portions,forming means for feeding said liquid bearing material into said inletmeans, forming means for moving said liquid bearing material from saidinlet means to said outlet means so that sections of said materialserially move from said inlet means to said outlet means while beingdisposed between said adjacent portions, forming means for vibratingsaid liquid bearing material between said adjacent portions of saidelectrode means as said material is moving from said inlet means to saidoutlet means whereby a vibratory field arrangement is applied to saidmaterial, and forming means for creating a voltage between said pair ofelectrode means so as to create an electrostatic field arrangementbetween said adjacent portions of said pair of electrode means foracting through said material that is disposed therebetween to removeliquid from that said material, the improvement comprising the steps offorming said means for vibrating said liquid bearing material to havemeans for simultaneously providing different vibratory field actions todifferent sections of said material that are serially disposed betweensaid inlet means and said outlet means so that different intensities ofsaid vibratory field arrangement will serially act on each said sectionof said material as each said section of said material moves from saidinlet means to said outlet means, and forming said means for vibratingsaid liquid bearing material to comprise a unit having a plurality ofvibratable sections thereof disposed in a serial manner respectivelyadjacent at least some of said sections of said material between saidinlet means and said outlet means and having means generallyvibrationally isolating said vibratable sections from each other so thateach vibratable section can provide its own said different vibratoryfield action to its respective adjacent said section of said material.14. A method as set forth in claim 13 and including the step of formingsaid unit to comprise one of said pair of electrode means.
 15. A methodas set forth in claim 13 and including the step of forming said unit tobe spaced from one of said pair of electrode means and to be adapted tobe liquid coupled thereto.
 16. A method as set forth in claim 13 andincluding the step of forming said unit to move in unison with saidliquid bearing material through said apparatus.
 17. A method as setforth in claim 13 and including the step of forming said unit to bestationary relative to the movement of said liquid bearing materialthrough said apparatus.
 18. A method as set forth in claim 13 andincluding the steps of forming said unit to comprise one of said pair ofelectrode means and plurality of vibratable roller means engagingagainst said one electrode means, and forming means for moving saidelectrode means so that said adjacent portions thereof serially move inthe same direction thereof from said inlet means to said outlet meanswhereby said sections of said material serially move with said adjacentportions from said inlet means to said outlet means while being disposedbetween said adjacent portions.